Israeli authorities said Thursday that they have decided to block most of Gaza's small Christian community from entering Israel for Easter celebrations, citing security concerns.
Israel maintains a blockade over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and restricts entry from the territory to prevent the smuggling of terrorists and weapons.
These restrictions are often eased during religious holidays to allow Gaza's residents to visit holy sites in Jerusalem or to visit relatives in Israel or the West Bank.
The Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, which oversees Palestinian civilian affairs, said it will let only Christians aged 55 and older and children under age 16 enter Israel for Easter, which is celebrated by Catholics on Sunday and Orthodox Christians the following week.
COGAT said the restrictions were needed after previous cases in which Gazan visitors overstayed their permitted time in Israel.
A Christian leader in Gaza said the restrictions mean that only about one-third of the community's 1,100 members will be allowed into Israel to celebrate.
Wadie Abunassar, a Catholic Church official, called the restrictions "very sad" because Easter is a family holiday. He said it was "not reasonable" to allow a mother and father to enter Israel, while "leaving their children back in Gaza," and urged Israel to reconsider.
"If people want to leave, they don't want to leave for a honeymoon," he said. "It is for a family trip."
