Jordan condemns Israeli restrictions at Church of Holy Sepulchre

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday warned against Israeli restrictions that would limit Christians' access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the occupied East Jerusalem, thereby reducing the number of individuals able to partake in the Holy Saturday festivities.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sinan Majali said that all Israeli measures that restrict Christians’ right to freely access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform their religious rituals next Saturday are "rejected and condemned," according to a ministry statement. 

Majali stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, stop its restrictive measures against Christians in occupied Jerusalem and refrain from any measures that hinder the freedom of worship in city’s holy sites.

Jordan, based on the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will continue, with all possible means, to protect the holy sites and preserve the historical and legal status of Jerusalem to be a key to peace, and a symbol of tolerance and harmony, Majali said.