RAMALLAH, April 16, 2014 – (WAFA) –
The Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations
Affairs Department issued Wednesday a factsheet highlighting Israeli
restrictions on the Palestinian Christians’ freedom of worship during Easter in
Jerusalem.
The department commenced the fact
sheet stating: “Occupied East Jerusalem is the center of Palestinian
celebrations, whether Easter or Ramadan. Freedom of religion and freedom of
movement are basic human rights enshrined in international law. However, since
1967, successive Israeli governments have developed a number of policies aimed
at directly and indirectly force the people from their land.”
Highlighting Israeli restrictions,
the department added: “For billions of Christians worldwide, the holy week of
Easter is an opportunity to celebrate, pray and remember Jerusalem. Easter is
supposed to be a time of hope and joy. But for hundreds of thousands of
Palestinian Christians, the first Christian community, the reality today is one
of oppression and discrimination. Of these Christians, who are the
centuries-old inhabitants of this land, only a tiny minority are able to
celebrate in Jerusalem.”
K.F./T.R.
