Hundreds of Christians in Jerusalem participated in a scaled-down Good Friday procession through the Old City walls, with noticeably fewer crowds due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The procession, which normally attracts thousands of foreign visitors, was mainly attended by local Palestinian Christians, along with some foreigners living in the city and a few tourists. The procession followed the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, believed to be the path taken by Jesus to his crucifixion, with Israeli police setting up barricades along the route to accommodate the pilgrims.
The impact of the war was evident at the final stations inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and laid to rest before his resurrection. Due to the conflict, the city’s streets were devoid of many Palestinian Christians from the West Bank who usually come to Jerusalem for Easter. Since Palestinians have needed special permission to cross checkpoints into the city, there was a noticeable absence of the usual crowds. Despite the reduced numbers, shopkeepers opened their doors for tourists seeking Catholic memorabilia, with limited interest from visitors.
An estimated 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in the West Bank and Jerusalem, while approximately 1,300 Christians reside in Gaza, according to a U.S. State Department report. Some Christians are also citizens of Israel, with many living in diaspora communities. Despite the challenging circumstances, a few tourists and pilgrims still visited the city, with one group from Spain taking a religious tour to Jerusalem. The group, led by a local lawyer, sought to reassure pilgrims that Jerusalem was safe despite its proximity to the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing that Christian people are not the target of terrorism.
The Good Friday celebrations coincided with the third Friday of Ramadan, with worshippers flocking to the Al-Aqsa mosque for prayer. Despite fears of clashes at the mosque due to the ongoing war, security measures were in place to ensure peaceful observance of the holy month. Sister Harriet Kabaije, a pilgrim from Uganda who recently moved to Jerusalem, expressed her solidarity with the people of Gaza and her belief that peace could be achieved in the region. She emphasized the importance of praying for those suffering in Gaza and for peace to return to the land, recalling the peaceful nature of Bethlehem during Jesus’ time.
While the festivities in Jerusalem were more subdued than in previous years, local Palestinian Christians and a few tourists marked the occasion with the traditional procession and visits to religious sites. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, the spirit of the holiday remained present as pilgrims walked the Via Dolorosa and reflected on the significance of Good Friday. As the city grappled with the impact of the ongoing war, prayers for peace and solidarity with those affected in Gaza continued to be a central theme during the Easter season in Jerusalem. Sister Harriet’s message of hope and compassion resonated with many pilgrims, as they sought solace and unity in the face of adversity.
