Hamas says blocking Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem is a “dangerous precedent”

Hamas has said that Israeli authorities’ prevention of Palestinian Christians from holding a Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem is a “dangerous precedent” and the first such incident in centuries.

In a statement issued on Sunday, and reported by Quds Press the group said the move reflects what it described as the practical implementation of policies aimed at “Judaising” the holy city.

Hamas added that the measure constitutes a direct violation of freedom of worship and poses what it called an existential threat to Jerusalem’s identity and landmarks, including both Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The group condemned what it described as an “unjustified ban”, along with wider measures targeting land and religious sites, saying these form part of a systematic policy to alter the city’s religious and historical character.

Hamas called on church councils around the world to condemn the actions and to work to protect freedom of worship and access to holy places. It also urged the international community to take serious steps to halt ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites.