This Easter, the government announced it had issued 6,000 permits, though there are 50,000 Christians – mostly Catholic or Greek Orthodox – living in the West Bank beyond East Jerusalem. However, in reality, just 4,000 were given, according to Christian leaders, and often only to a few members of each family who applied.
These permits are valid for just one week and do not allow the Palestinian pilgrims to stay in Jerusalem overnight, meaning they have to make the gruelling journey back to the West Bank by bus or taxi – crossing a multitude of army checkpoints – every evening, limiting the festivities they can take part in. A group from the village of Taybeh said the Israeli military still did not allow them to cross over to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday even though they had valid permits.
The few who do make it to the Old City have been met with increased police brutality in recent years. In April 2023, Palestinian Christian worshipers and international pilgrims were beaten by Israeli police and armed forces as they attempted to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Unbearable that the Christian’s can’t easily go to Jerusalem? This sounds a bit dramatic considering the other things going on in this area.
Sure, but I’ll take anything I can get when it comes to waking people up.
“Can’t easily go to Jerusalem” is only one part of the article, and that aside it’s an egregious attack on Palestinian freedom of movement so not really overdramatic. Israel has been doing much flashier things lately so I get your instinct to dismiss this, but this attitude is part of why Israel has gotten away with its crimes for so long; the world only pays attention to the plight of Palestinians when they’re being blown to bits by Israeli airstrikes and then forgets about them when the planes (mostly) stop flying. This article does a good job of highlighting the quieter parts of Israeli oppression IMO.
But only a few people got to goooooooooo!
yeah boo fuckin’ who the christian fundies had to go in person to find out israel is a fascist hell on earth. they clearly thought they would be exempt from that because “they’re good people”
You two didn’t even have to read the article it’s in the OP about Palestinian Christians. Your reactions are also to criticise Christians instead of “checks out for Israel’s regime”? They’re also Christians in Israel. Assuming everyone in a religion is fundamentalist/extremist would sure make you fit in with the Israeli government ironically enough.
that’s on me. i came in here hot under the collar based on dipshits i know
Having grown up around similar dipshits, I can definitely understand. It happens.
This article is about the actual Christians living in Jerusalem. Many people tend to forget that Israel discriminates against every other faith. Not only Muslims. And there are many Christians living in Palestine which was the birthplace of Jesus.
Still, I can’t care very much about this specific issue. Not being able to go to Jerusalem does not sounds unbearable.
Yeah, sounds like violence visited on people you dont like is fine with you.
The violence I care about. The “not being allowed to visit a holy place”, that I could care less about.
Yeah that, or you’re missing the point that Israel is suppressing everyone not Jewish, and that that is a bad thing?
I’m atheist and find all religions stupid, but even I can look beyond my own pet peeve and recognize something as being bad instead of mocking victims