Jordan warns of Israeli restrictions on Christians’ access to Church of the Holy Sepulchre

shahennews

 Jordan on Thursday warned of Israeli restrictions that would limit Christians’ access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in occupied East Jerusalem, thereby reducing the number of individuals able to partake in the Holy Saturday festivities.

In a statement, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Sinan Majali said all Israeli measures aimed at restricting the right of Christians to free and unrestricted access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, next Saturday, to perform their religious rituals, are “rejected and condemned.”

Majali stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities, and stop its restrictive measures against the Christians of occupied Jerusalem, and refrain from any measures that prejudice the freedom of worship in the holy places in the city.

Jordan, the official emphasized, based on the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy places in Jerusalem, will continue, with all possible means, to protect the sanctities and preserve the historical and legal status of Jerusalem to be a key to peace and a symbol of tolerance and harmony.

// Petra// WH