Hamas condemns Israel's restrictions on Palestinian Christians

Hamas has released a statement condemning Israel over what it described as "criminal measures against Palestinian Christians and all of our Palestinian people".

On Sunday, thousands of Christians were prevented from attending Palm Sunday services in occupied Jerusalem. Only a limited number of Christians - mostly residents of Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel - were able to attend services in the Old City.

The Palestinian movement added that the imposed restrictions on Palestinian Christians "are part of the fascist and racist occupation policy targeting our Palestinian people in all their components".

"They are part of the failed criminal attempt to isolate them from their land and holy sites and Judaise them.

"We call on all churches around the world to condemn the [Israeli] occupation and its ongoing attacks on freedom of worship and access to holy sites. We also call on the international community to take serious steps to halt its brutal violations and its war aimed at annihilating our people and liquidating their cause," the statement read.

These services mark the beginning of the Holy Week ahead of Easter.

However, overnight Israeli attacks on the al-Ahli al-Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza have cast a gloom over the occasion, with many prominent Palestinian Christian figures condemning the strikes.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III attends Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on 13 April, 2025 (Reuters/Ammar Awad) — The Eastern Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, attends Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on 13 April 2025 (Reuters/Ammar Awad)