Which groups were denied entry to Jerusalem for Holy Fire?

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Israeli Authorities Denied Entry to Thousands of West Bank Christians and Vatican Envoy for Holy Fire Ceremony

Israeli authorities prevented thousands of Christians from the occupied West Bank from entering Jerusalem to participate in Holy Fire ceremonies on Holy Saturday. The Apostolic Delegate and Vatican Ambassador to Palestine, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, was also denied entry. These restrictions significantly reduced participation in Holy Week and Easter celebrations for the second consecutive year, a situation attributed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
West Bank Christians Barred from Jerusalem

Thousands of Palestinian Christians residing in the occupied West Bank were unable to travel to Jerusalem for the sacred Holy Saturday observances. Israeli authorities enforced stringent permit requirements for both Muslim and Christian Palestinians, with only 6,000 permits issued to West Bank Christians, a figure starkly contrasting with the community's estimated population of around 50,000. This limited access marked a significant disruption to a major religious event.
Military Checkpoints and ID Verifications

Access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City was heavily controlled by Israeli police who established military checkpoints. These checkpoints involved ID verifications, leading to many young worshippers being denied entry. The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine condemned these actions, describing them as sweeping restrictions that prevented large numbers of Palestinian Christians and pilgrims from reaching the church.
Vatican Envoy Denied Entry

A notable incident involved the denial of entry to Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, who serves as the Apostolic Delegate and Vatican Ambassador to Palestine. The committee overseeing church affairs highlighted this as a violation of diplomatic protocols and international conventions, underscoring the severity of the restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on this significant religious occasion.
Reduced Participation in Religious Ceremonies

The ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have led to a noticeable reduction in participation in Holy Week and Easter ceremonies for the second year running. Churches have reportedly scaled back their Easter activities, limiting observances primarily to religious services and prayers, foregoing larger celebratory events and parades. This atmosphere of heightened tension and restricted movement has impacted the spiritual observances for the Christian community.

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Which groups were denied entry to Jerusalem for Holy Fire?

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