IN PICTURES - No miracle in Jerusalem: the Holy Sepulcher closed to the public for Easter

In the Christian quarter of the Old City where Sawsan Bitar resides, the streets are deserted and most of the shops have been closed for weeks. " Depressing, " sums up this talkative Palestinian woman in her sixties, who feels sorry that she cannot celebrate Easter at the Holy Sepulcher, as she does every year.

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In this church, considered the most sacred place of Christianity, a mass was celebrated behind closed doors in the morning, before a mini procession on the Via Dolorosa (path of suffering), generally traveled by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. on the occasion of this Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Christ.

A man, dressed as Jesus, before the closed doors of the Sepulcher EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

But this year, only four religious chanted and sang, stopping in front of the 14 stations on the path where Jesus, according to the Gospels, met his mother, fell, received help to carry the cross, and met women in tears.

One of the 14 Stations of the Cross. AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS

The narrow, interwoven alleys of the Old City have been placed under very close surveillance by the Israeli police. The latter issued a fine to a journalist from a foreign agency who did not respect the distancing measures. The Old City of Jerusalem has been administered by Israel since its annexation in 1967.

The Dominicans of Jerusalem stop in front of one of the 14 stations of the Stations of the Cross EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

A man stops. AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS

The Hebrew State, which officially identified more than 10,000 cases of people infected with the new coronavirus, including more than 90 deaths, closed all places of worship, in addition to shops, schools and places of leisure, to curb the spread of the pandemic. On the Palestinian side, more than 250 cases, including one death, have been officially identified.

The watchword is therefore clear for Catholic and Jewish Easter, which take place this week, and Orthodox, which will be celebrated on April 19: stay at home!

Security forces are omnipresent EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP