Palm Sunday Procession Canceled in Jerusalem

The Latin rite Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem has canceled a traditional Palm Sunday procession in the holy city because of fears of violence stemming from Palestinian unrest, a church spokesman said Thursday.

Newly appointed Latin Patriarch Michel Sabah, the first Arab to hold the post, called off the event because he feared possible violence along the route from the Mount of Olives to the walled Old City, a spokesman, Father Claudio Barrato, said.

“It was a personal decision of the patriarch in view of these troubled times,” he said.

The Jerusalem Post said it was only the third time in more than 50 years that the event had been canceled.

Good Friday Rite as Usual

A Good Friday procession along the traditional route taken by Jesus on his way to the cross will go ahead as planned, Barrato said.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred period in Christianity, which culminates in observances of Good Friday and Easter according to Christian tradition.

“It is better for all of us that the procession is suspended, even the police,” Barrato told the Jerusalem Post.

The Palm Sunday procession passes through many narrow streets in Arab East Jerusalem, Sevanah Meryn, spokeswoman for Mayor Teddy Kollek, pointed out.

“They’re afraid troublemakers from outside will use the march for ulterior motives and would interfere with the religious purpose of the walk,” Meryn said, adding that no other Easter or Passover events have been canceled.

Stones Thrown in Past

In past years, Muslim youths have thrown stones at participants in the Palm Sunday parade as it passed a Muslim cemetery before entering the Old City through the Lion’s Gate.

During the recent Christmas season, no religious events were canceled, but many Christian groups decided to forgo holiday celebrations because of the widespread unrest.