Greek main opposition demands explanation from Foreign Ministry for arrest of Greek envoy’s bodyguard in Jerusalem

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Greece’s main opposition SYRIZA party said Saturday that it demands an explanation from the Foreign Ministry for the arrest of the bodyguard of the Greek general consular of Jerusalem.

“SYRIZA - PS requests the immediate provision of clarifications from the foreign ministry regarding the unprecedented incident of the arrest of a member of the guard of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem by the Israeli forces at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, during the ceremony of the Touching of the Holy Light,” it said in a statement.

Urging the ministry to inform the public about the incident, the party added, “We anticipate a reaction of the Greek government towards the Israeli side, in line with the seriousness of the episode.”

Earlier Saturday, Israeli police forcibly removed and arrested the Greek consul's guard in occupied East Jerusalem while inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

It was not immediately clear the reason for the arrest but witnesses said there had been a quarrel between police and the consul's guard.

Considered one of the holiest places in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in occupied East Jerusalem. It is of great importance to Christians who believe that Jesus Christ was crucified there and then ascended to heaven.

Church prayers and mass are held in major Palestinian cities in observance of the Holy Fire, which is the last day of Holy Week for Christians, when they prepare for Easter Sunday.

Religious rituals were held this year in churches following the Eastern calendar in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.