Christians walk in the Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem. AP
Pilgrims waved branches and fronds in the air, items that were placed before Jesus’ feet as he was greeted by cheering crowds during his entrance into Jerusalem, according to the Bible.
Earlier Sunday, Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, also held a service.
The annual celebration came as the Israeli war rages on in Gaza. However, the conflict appeared to have had little effect on the procession, which swelled to a similar size as last year.
“Although there is war, in my impression I don’t feel any kind of tension,” said David Manini, a pilgrim from Italy.
The celebration marks the beginning of the most somber week in the Christian calendar, which marks Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter.
“I’m here because I love Jesus Christ,” said Jennifer Weedon, who traveled from the United States for the occasion.
On Oct.7, Israel launched an air and ground war on the Gaza Strip that has left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, 70% of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Since the war erupted, Israel has seen a huge downturn in tourism.
One of the placards held by a pilgrim read, “Save us, lord. The Church of Saint Porphyrius and Holy Family Church, Gaza.”
In late October, Palestinian health officials said that an Israeli strike hit St. Porphyrios, a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were sheltering, killing 18 people.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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