Worshippers celebrate in Jerusalem amid violence

JERUSALEM: Thou­sands of worshippers held tense celebrations in Jerusalem on Sunday, as Christian Easter coincided with Jewish Pass­over and Ramazan, amid a surge in violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel has since struck targets in Gaza, Lebanon and most recently Syria in response to rocket fire mostly blamed on Pales­tinian militants, while separate attacks in the West Bank and Tel Aviv killed three people, including an Italian tourist.

On Sunday, pilgrims crowded into the narrow alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City, flanked by heavily-armed Israeli security forces deployed following the recent deadly attacks.

Churchgoers were ushered through the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

“[I had] some doubt, taking into consideration recent events, but still I decided to go,” said 50-year-old Paulius Majauskas, visiting from Lithuania.

Near the church, thousands of Jewish pilgrims gathered at the Western Wall for the traditional priestly blessing of Passover. Judy Green, 60, said the blessing was “beautiful, very uplifting” at the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.

The Western Wall lies in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and sits below the Temple Mount, the most sacred site to Jews, known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif.

The raised compound is home to Al Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam and the focal point for Ramazan celebrations.