Police filmed aggressively detaining Palestinian Christians during Holy Fire ceremony

Israel Police are filmed aggressively detaining several Palestinian Christians taking part in a Holy Fire procession in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Authority’s official Wafa news site says police forced members of the Palestinian scouts to remove the Palestinian flag from their uniforms.

The Haaretz news site says police are treating the annual Holy Fire procession as a security incident, rather than a religious celebration, putting up eight checkpoints from the New Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and significantly limiting the movement of participants.

A police spokesperson said in advance of the event that precautions were taken to prevent overcrowding as candles are lit in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Responding to allegations regarding the use of excessive force, police say in a statement that “the incident in question involved a small number of individuals, some of whom were under the influence of alcohol, who attempted to disrupt public order and the proper conduct of the Holy Fire ceremony by refusing to clear a designated route for a religious procession.”

“Police officers acted to maintain order and ensure the safe continuation of the event. During the incident, one individual physically assaulted an officer and was subsequently arrested,” the statement continues.

الشرطة الإسرائيلية تمنع وصول المصلين الى كنيسة القيامة.

Israeli police are preventing Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and restricting the number allowed onto its roof. pic.twitter.com/3vmGfGTlcQ

— ☧ Milad ܝܠܕܐ (@PalCatholic) April 11, 2026

HORRIFIC: Israeli police assault Christians and scout members celebrating Holy Saturday in the old city of Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/1kUY7M0abu

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) April 11, 2026

????HOLY SATURDAY IN JERUSALEM: Israeli police assault Christians and scout members celebrating Holy Saturday in the Old City of Jerusalem, kicking a scout member to the ground, beating him, and arresting him over a Palestinian flag on his uniform. pic.twitter.com/2Rq5eoEXgK

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) April 11, 2026