JERUSALEM, April 23, 2011 (WAFA) – Israeli police Saturday used force to prevent Christians from reaching the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City to celebrate Holy Saturday, according to local sources.

The police set up barricades on roads leading to the Holy Sepulcher, where thousands of Christians gather waiting for the Holy Fire to come out around noon.

Dimitri Diliani, director of the National Christian Collation in the Holy Land, said police attacked local Christians who wanted to reach the Holy Sepulcher while it allowed dozens of tourists with Israeli guides to cross the checkpoints.

“Religious oppression by Israel is a common practice against anyone who is not Jewish,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad joined hundreds of Christians in Ramallah who were not able to reach Jerusalem due to the Israeli closure of the city in celebrating Holy Saturday in Ramallah.

Boy scouts participated in the march that included, in addition to Fayyad and other Palestinian officials, religious leaders and hundreds of Christians. The procession started in the center of Ramallah and marched to a nearby church where prayers were held.

M.H./M.A.