Orthodox and Catholic Leaders Demand Access in Jerusalem

Holy Land church heads denounce Easter fracas, demand full access

Holy Fire Ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Three Egyptian diplomats were roughed up by Israeli police while trying to attend a religious service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Joyous Saturday (the day before Orthodox Easter).  Now the heads of the Orthodox and Catholic churches in Israel have issued a joint statement condemning the actions of the police and demanding full access to their religious sites.  

There has also been a request by the Egyptian upper house of parliament, the Shura council, to expel the Israeli ambassador and recall the Egyptian ambassador from Tel Aviv.  While the stated reason for this is the ongoing controversy over the control of the Temple Mount and the Old City, it is likely that this incident involving, as it did, high ranking Egyptian diplomats added fuel to the fire.  This follows the Jordanian parliament making the same request regarding their own diplomat and the Israeli ambassador to Jordan.  Israel continues to become more isolated.

From the Ecumenical News:

Holy Land church leaders have condemned Israeli armed forces' action while deployed at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City as Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter.

They called on Israel to allow full access to Christians during Easter, the most important Christian event celebrating the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.

The heads of the main churches in the Holy land issued their joint statement on May 12, a week after the condemning action by Israeli armed forces deployed at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City as Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter.

"We, the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, watched with sorrowful hearts the horrific scenes of the brutal treatment of our clergy, people, and pilgrims in the Old City of Jerusalem during Holy Saturday last week.

"A day of joy and celebration was turned to great sorrow and pain for some of our faithful because they were ill-treated by some Israeli policemen who were present around the gates of the Old City and passages that lead to the Holy Sepulcher."

http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/holy-land-church-heads-denounce-easter-fracas-demand-full-access-22187