April 2022 | Holy Fire lights up Jerusalem‘s Holy Sepulchre

Thousands of Palestinian Christians and pilgrims celebrated the fire service at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre in processions, chants and chants on Saturday for the first time since Israel imposed new visitor restrictions.

The mystical, millennium-old ritual celebrating the resurrection of Jesus has attracted more than 10,000 worshipers in recent years.

After hours of crowds waiting, the Greek Orthodox archbishop of Jerusalem entered the tomb where Christians believe Jesus was buried and walked out with a lit candle without the help of matches.

On one occasion, Christian pilgrims clashed with Israeli police deployed throughout the Old City to ensure the safety of participants. Police tried to stop some pilgrims trying to force their way through the blockade when the incident occurred. Officials reacted strongly to a video showing a police officer grabbing a pilgrim by the neck.

The police did not report the incident in an official statement, but said "actions by the Israeli police have been taking place since early morning and throughout the day to facilitate an orderly and safe flame ceremony... Police actions have been fully evaluated , extensive human resources work, site visits, coordination meetings with church leaders, and approval of plans led by the Jerusalem District Commander."

Hundreds of police, border guards and volunteers were deployed and efforts were made to regulate participants in the area.