"This moment in Jerusalem feels heavy in a way that is hard to fully grasp. The Old City stands closed under the Israeli occupation, its narrow streets unusually silent, and for the first time in modern history, both Al Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been shut for such a prolonged period. Places that have always been alive with prayer, footsteps, and quiet devotion now feel distant, almost unreachable. For many, it is not just about restricted access, but about a deeper sense of separation from something sacred and rooted in identity. And still, people hold on, to faith, to memory, to the belief that these doors will open again, and that the life and spirit of Jerusalem will return to what it has always been." Palestinian Artist Sliman Mansour

Jerusalem (القدس), oil on canvas, 2010- Sliman Mansour.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRYoApDR7R/    

sliman.mansour

This moment in Jerusalem feels heavy in a way that is hard to fully grasp. The Old City stands closed under the Israeli occupation, its narrow streets unusually silent, and for the first time in modern history, both Al Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been shut for such a prolonged period. Places that have always been alive with prayer, footsteps, and quiet devotion now feel distant, almost unreachable. For many, it is not just about restricted access, but about a deeper sense of separation from something sacred and rooted in identity. And still, people hold on, to faith, to memory, to the belief that these doors will open again, and that the life and spirit of Jerusalem will return to what it has always been.

 

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Church leaders highlight threats to Christian heritage by Israeli authorities: financial pressure, municipal taxes (Arnona), restrictions on freedom of movement for worshippers, settler violence, takeover of Church lands, hate crimes, and barriers for West Bank teachers reaching Christian schools in East Jerusalem.

EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem/Ramallah release a statement expressing serious concern at the increased risk of escalation in and around Holy Sites. 

Church leaders also highlighted threats to Christian heritage by Israeli authorities: financial pressure, municipal taxes (Arnona), restrictions on freedom of movement for worshippers, settler violence, takeover of Church lands, hate crimes, and barriers for West Bank teachers reaching Christian schools in East Jerusalem. 

Full statement: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/pa

Local EU Statement by the Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah

12.02.2026

Jerusalem

Press and information team - Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA)

On 3 February, EU Heads of Mission visited the Al Aqsa compound and met with the Jerusalem Waqf, as part of the EU’s regular engagement dedicated to the preservation of the religious, cultural and historical diversity of Jerusalem and its Old City. The Heads of Mission were briefed on recent developments on the Al Aqsa compound, including serious concerns regarding violations of the Status Quo and restrictions on access, particularly in the context of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

As Jerusalem approaches a period of major religious observances of profound importance for Muslims, Christians and Jews alike, the European Union reiterates its strong call for the full respect and preservation of the Status Quo at the Holy Sites, in line with established understandings. Worshippers of all faiths must be able to access their respective holy sites freely, safely and with dignity. In this context, the EU and its Member States recall Jordan’s special role with respect to upholding the Status Quo and reiterates its full support for the implementation of this role through the Jerusalem Waqf.

The EU and its Member States are continuously engaging with the heads of Churches in Jerusalem. At a meeting on 6 February, the Churches highlighted several threats to Christian heritage in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, including financial pressure from local Israeli authorities, imposing municipality taxes, restrictions on freedom of movement for worshippers, incidents of settler violence and takeover of Church lands, hate crimes against people of faith and some impediments to access of teachers from West Bank to schools in East Jerusalem.

The EU and its Member States express serious concern at the increased risk of escalation in and around the Holy Sites. Any actions, provocations or unilateral measures to change or undermine the Status Quo would risk triggering far-reaching and deeply destabilising consequences and must be avoided.

The EU position on Jerusalem remains unchanged. The special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City, the inviolability of its sacred spaces, and the rights and viability of all its communities must be preserved and respected by all. The EU calls on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, prevent provocations, and take the necessary steps to ensure calm, protection of worshippers, particularly during the forthcoming religious festivities, including for Ramadan, Passover, Easter, the Orthodox Easter Holy Fire ceremony. 

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Picnics & Palestine

 "One of my favorite memories as a child in Palestine was when my mother (AY) used to make her scrumptious meat pies for us to eat, picnic style, on the grounds of #AlAqsa compound in #AlQuds (#Jerusalem)...She used to get very early in the day, prepare the dough and take it with her to Al Quds (the old city) ahead of us...

 

Once inside the old city, she would buy her fresh ingredients of ground lamb meat, onions, parsley, and spices and take them to the old bakery in the area that she frequented and trusted.

 

Once at the bakery, she would make triangle shaped meat pies (ikraas), which she stuffed with her magic mixture of mouth watering ingredients and give them to the baker to bake in his oven, making sure that they were baked to her exacting standards of golden perfection...

 

Afterwards, she would take the piping hot pies, mouth watering aroma wafting through the air, place them in a large tray, covering them with a blanket to keep them nice and warm, and meet up with us at the ground of Al Aqsa, whereby we would have our picnic under the shade of the ancient trees...

 

She used to make extra pies so that when strangers happened on us, drawn by that intoxicating aroma, she could share with them...

 

Till this day, the fragrance of fresh baked bread evokes memories of my beloved late mother, may Allah have mercy on her soul, and those magical moments spent with her in the holy grounds of Masjid Al Aqsa!"  

 

Mike Hanini Odetalla

 

UNESCO supports Jordan, Palestine proposal on Jerusalem

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http://jordantimes.com/unesco-supports-jordan-palestine-proposal-on-jerusalem

The interior of Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Monday denounced provocative attempts by Jewish extremists to break into Al Aqsa Mosque Complex, known to Muslims as Al Haram Al Sharif (File photo)

by JT | Jun 23, 2014

AMMAN — The UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Monday endorsed a Jordanian-Palestinian proposal, demanding Israel to immediately cease all illegal excavations and violations against the heritage of the old town of Jerusalem. 

The decision was endorsed during the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee which is currently being held in Doha, Qatar. 

According to a report by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the committee expressed its concern regarding damage to historic ceramic decorations on the doors of the Dome of the Rock Mosque, besides other damage to the gates and windows of the revered Al Aqsa Mosque, resulting from the behaviours of the Israeli occupation forces within the vicinity of the compound, the third holiest shrine for Muslims. 

In its resolution, the UNESCO’s committee denounced provocative attempts by Jewish extremists to break into Al Aqsa Mosque and called on Israeli occupation authorities to take necessary measures to prevent such violations.

The committee called on Israel to respect the current status of the mosque, which has been preserved as worship place for Muslims, exclusively and as a world cultural heritage. 

In its decision, the panel asserted that the Jordanian Islamic Awqaf Department is the sole legitimate authority entitled to maintain and safeguard the site of the Bab Al Magharbeh gate. 

It also expressed the international community’s deep concern over Israeli policies that restrict the free movement of the department’s employees and prevent worshippers from performing rituals at Islamic and Christian holy sites.