Francesca Maria Lorenzini

In a tense and divided Jerusalem, the shrinking space for Palestinian Christians is becoming more visible—and more alarming. During this year’s Holy Fire celebration at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Hani, a Palestinian Christian from the West Bank, was stopped at multiple Israeli checkpoints despite having a permit. His daughter cried as she was separated from him, and he was nearly shot when trying to shield her from an aggressive border police officer. Though the officer was later removed from duty, the event reflects a broader crisis.

Access to Christian holy sites is increasingly restricted through a maze of checkpoints, digital permit apps, and aggressive policing—especially since Israel’s 2023 Gaza offensive and a sharp rise in violence against Christians. In 2024 alone, 111 anti-Christian attacks were reported in Jerusalem, mostly by ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist Jews. Churches have faced disruptions during major religious holidays, and worshippers report growing harassment.
The Christian population of Jerusalem, once 25%, is now less than 1%, and many are considering emigration.

Among the hardest hit is the Armenian community, fighting to stop a controversial land deal that would convert historic Armenian Quarter land into a luxury hotel. Protesters like Kegham Balian have been camping for over 500 days to save it.

East Jerusalem, home to most Christian and Muslim holy sites, is considered occupied territory under international law, yet remains under Israeli control since 1967. Movement restrictions, such as the heavily monitored Checkpoint 300, severely limit access for West Bank Christians and Muslims alike.
Despite promises from Israeli authorities to ease restrictions, communities say Easter felt more like a military lockdown than a celebration. For many, the growing pressure signals not just religious repression—but an erasure of the city’s multi-faith, Indigenous Christian identity.
“We are Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is us,” says Orthodox Christian George Sahhar. “We are the living stones.”

Read the full story in the National Catholic Reporter