Occupied Jerusalem, ALRAY - The High Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine condemned the Israeli occupation police's attack on monks, religious figures, and young men participating in the 'Holy Fire' celebrations in the occupied capital of Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Committee, Ramzi Khoury, said: "For days, the occupation police have been threatening to impose a closure on the holy city and have asked the churches to limit the number of participants allowed to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Since Saturday morning, IOF have begun to turn the city into a military barracks and have set up barriers at all entrances and around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre."

He stressed that "Israel" does not care about international laws and legitimacy, which guarantee freedom of worship and the practice of religious rituals without restrictions.

He explained that the attacks that targeted Christians are the same as those endured by prayers, guards, and worshippers who are staying at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He added, "It has become clear that the occupation government is not interested in achieving calm, but rather seeks to escalate and continue violence, and is working with all its agencies to provoke the feelings of Muslim and Christian worshippers."

He affirmed that all violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites will only increase our people's determination and insistence on standing steadfast on every inch of Jerusalem.

Khouri called on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action regarding all the persecution and violations of the sanctity of the Palestinian people, and to put an end to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and international laws.