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Under shadow of war with Iran, Jerusalem heads into subdued Passover ...
AP — Jerusalem’s major holy sites are shuttered and many families are dejected and exhausted ahead of Passover and Easter as the Iran war enters its fifth week. The mood stands in stark contrast to a usual spring, when longer days herald a period of family gatherings and an influx of tourists for the major Jewish and Christian holidays. Metal shutters are drawn on nearly all stores in the Old City, home to key holy sites, and only scattered footsteps echo on deserted stone alleyways. Vast plazas are missing the typical throngs of faithful and tourists. Jerusalem has largely escaped past wars, with Israel’s enemies appearing to be hesitant to launch missiles near the city’s Muslim holy sites. But since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, Jerusalem has repeatedly come under fire. Earlier this month, an intercepted Iranian missile sprayed shrapnel on the rooftop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, just steps from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most important sites in Christianity. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms The church, built on what is revered by many Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection, remains closed under IDF Home Front Command guidelines prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people. Missile debris also hit a road leading to the Western Wall. From his office overlooking the plaza at the holy site, now also closed to worshipers, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, whose purview encompasses the Western Wall and other Jewish holy sites in Israel, lamented the empty plaza. “The heart aches greatly, it bleeds, seeing the Western Wall as it looks now,” he said. ...
Holy Week Cancelled in Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre Closed ...
Jerusalem Holy Week Cancelled: Church of the Holy Sepulchre Closed as War Rages in the Middle East The traditional Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem has been cancelled for the first time due to war, as the escalating conflict in the Middle East forces unprecedented disruptions to Christian Easter celebrations in the Holy City.
Iran war hushes Holy Week, Passover in Jerusalem
Easter celebrations canceled The Latin Patriarchate canceled the Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem, complying with Israeli military guidelines that limited gatherings to under 50 people.
Jerusalem heads into subdued Passover, Easter amid conflict
The Latin Patriarchate cancelled a procession on Sunday commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the Christian celebration known as Palm Sunday. Any other year, tens of thousands of Christians from around the world would walk down the narrow, hilly streets toward the Old City, waving palm fronds and singing.
