Israeli forces detain Greek Consul's personal guard at Church of Holy Sepulchre

Police forcibly remove, arrest guard of Greek consul in Jerusalem while inside church, eyewitnesses tell Anadolu

By Said Amori

JERUSALEM (AA) — Israeli police forcibly removed and arrested the Greek consul's guard in occupied East Jerusalem on Saturday while inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that police entered the church and arrested the personal guard of the Greek consul after forcing him out of the building.

It was not immediately clear why the arrest had taken place, but eyewitnesses said there had been a quarrel between police and the consul's guard.

Earlier, the police had restricted access to the church for Orthodox Christians who wanted to attend the Holy Fire ceremony.

Police tightened measures and set up barriers at the entryways of Jerusalem's Old City, especially at the New Gate near the Christian holy site, eyewitnesses told Anadolu.

This came a day after Christian denominations following the Eastern calendar observed Good Friday, which is followed by the Holy Fire celebration, leading up to Easter Sunday.

Police also prevented Christians from entering Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, as permits to do so have been refused since October last year, when Israel launched its Gaza offensive after a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

Hundreds of Israeli security personnel have been deployed in East Jersualem since early in the morning to "secure the worshippers and accompany processions and visitors," the police said in a statement.

Considered one of the holy places of Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located 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 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 the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala

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