East jerusalem: Palestinian Christians are expressing fear over escalating Israeli assaults and incitement against their community and holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. Residents report that these attacks occur within a broader context of restrictions targeting the Christian presence in the occupied city, alongside limitations on movement and access to religious sites.
According to Anadolu Agency, George Zeina, a Palestinian Christian, emphasized that Israeli policies aim to pressure Palestinians and push them to leave their land. Meanwhile, Mazen Ghandoor from Ramallah described the situation in East Jerusalem as difficult and unacceptable, stirring concern among Christians worldwide. Ghandoor highlighted the discrimination and racism faced by non-Jewish communities, including both Muslims and Christians, urging for a change in Israeli policies and an end to the attacks.
Mahfouz Hasri, another concerned Christian, shared that the situation in Jerusalem has become worrying, with residents subjected to continuous harassment and provocations. He noted that access to East Jerusalem has become complicated, even for those with permits, due to checkpoints and military measures, preventing him from visiting the city as before. Hasri added that people fear attacks, given the absence of protection or means to respond.
Odette Said, a Christian from Ramallah, stated that Israel has intensified restrictions against the Christian community in East Jerusalem. She mentioned continuous restrictions through military checkpoints and occupier attacks, preventing Christians from reaching churches during holidays, which constitutes a violation of freedom of worship.
Further illustrating the tense situation, Shadi Awad from Bethlehem noted that Palestinian Christians deal with the situation with caution and fear amid rising official incitement. He pointed to statements by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which seem to justify attacks by describing practices like spitting on Christians as part of tradition.
Recent incidents include an assault on a nun in occupied East Jerusalem, and a video showing an Israeli occupier spitting at the entrance of an Armenian church. These events underscore the ongoing tensions and the perceived lack of accountability, which, according to George Zeina, encourage the continuation of such incidents. Observers indicate that these assaults occur amid rising tensions in occupied East Jerusalem, with attacks on religious sites and clergy repeatedly reported.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has seen an escalation since the outbreak of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, which includes military operations, arrests, and movement restrictions. Palestinians believe these policies threaten the Christian presence in East Jerusalem and undermine the city's religious and historical character, which is sacred to the three monotheistic religions. They consider occupied East Jerusalem the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognize Israel's occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.