WORLD : Jerusalem and Bethlehem Sites to Close in Religious Protests
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JERUSALEM — Holy sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will close Friday to protest the Jewish takeover of a building claimed by the Greek Orthodox Church, Christian leaders announced today.
Church officials said it is the first time in modern history that their leaders have unanimously decided to protest by closing the holy sites, which draw tens of thousands of tourists and pilgrims yearly.
The church leaders indicated that the Friday closure might continue indefinitely but said they will review their decision depending on legal attempts to evict the Jewish residents of St. John’s Hospice.
The 150 Jews who moved into the building four days before Easter Sunday were reportedly the first Jews to live in the Christian Quarter since Israel captured the Old City from Jordan in 1967.
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