Palestinian Christians marking Easter are kept from Jerusalem holy site, U.N. envoy says

JERUSALEM — Israeli police officers blocked Palestinian Christians on their way to an Easter celebration Saturday at one of the holiest Christian sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, according to a top U.N. envoy.
Robert H. Serry, the United Nations’ special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he and several other senior diplomats had joined members of the Palestinian Christian community in a special procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is built on the hill where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried before rising from the dead. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Saturday of Light at the site, as thousands did again Saturday.


But despite earlier assurances of unhindered access to the church, Serry said in a statement, the Israeli police refused to allow his group entry, saying they had orders to that effect.
“A precarious standoff ensued ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through,” Serry said.
The Israeli police spokesman could not be reached for comment, but Israeli radio reported a heavy police presence in the Old City to secure the proceedings for thousands of Christians pilgrims..........http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/palestinian-christians-marking-easter-are-kept-from-jerusalem-holy-site-un-envoy-says/2014/04/19/1b5460f8-c7d5-11e3-8b9a-8e0977a24aeb_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage
19/4/14
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• 'Holy Fire' lights up Jerusalem church for Easter

• Θαύμα ή ελληνικό προνόμιο το Αγιο Φως;

• Με τιμές αρχηγού κράτους η υποδοχή του Αγίου Φωτός το απόγευμα στην Αθήνα

• Thousands to flock to J'lem for Orthodox Easter ceremony

• Holy Fire ignites in Jerusalem (VIDEO rt) ...

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• UN envoy urges respect for religious freedom after Israeli forces disrupt Easter procession

UN, 19 April 2014 – A top United Nations envoy on Saturday said he was dismayed that a peaceful Easter procession led by Palestinian Christians through Jerusalem's Old City was disrupted by Israeli security forces. 
“Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access to holy sites for worshippers of all faiths and refraining from provocations not least during the religious holidays,” said Robert Serry, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. 

According to a statement issued by the Special Coordinator's office, Mr. Serry and members of the diplomatic corps visited an Easter procession from the New Gate to the Holy Sepulcher at the invitation of the Palestinian Christian community in Jerusalem. The procession was stopped at a security checkpoint prior to the entry on the church grounds. 
“Despite earlier assurances to the Palestinian Christian community in Jerusalem of unhindered access to the Holy Sepulcher Church on the occasion of Easter celebrations, the Israeli police refused to allow such entry claiming they had orders to that effect,” the statement said, adding that a “precarious” standoff ensued ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through.
“The Special Coordinator was dismayed that a peaceful procession on the occasion of Easter in the Old city was disrupted by unacceptable behaviour from the Israeli security authorities.”  [un.org] 19/4/14