Christians Celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem Amid Tight Security
Waving palm branches and singing hymns, about a thousand Christian pilgrims from around the world marched down the slopes of the Mount of Olives to mark Palm Sunday.
The procession walked from the Mount of Olives into the walled Old City amid tight security. Border police with submachine guns accompanied the pilgrims on foot, and several jeeps were stationed at points along the route.
Israeli security forces are on high alert, fearing revenge attacks by Palestinian militants for the Feb. 25 massacre in Hebron carried out by a Jewish settler. Security officials have been warned that assailants might strike during the eight-day Jewish Passover holiday, which began Saturday.
Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem when the multitudes proclaiming him King of Israel laid palm branches before him, falls on the Sunday before Easter.
Many expected visitors to the Holy Land have stayed away, fearing new violence. Hoteliers and souvenir dealers say the prospects for the Easter pilgrim trade are also blighted.
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