Thousands of Christians from all over the world come to Jerusalem and participate in the annual Palm Sunday March. Sadly, many Christians from the West Bank and Gaza do not attend. Often their permissions to enter Jerusalem arrive late. Even for those with permission, crossing checkpoints inhibits freedom of movement, something you don’t want to experience on a celebratory day.

Tens of thousands of Christians from all over the world joined the annual Palm Sunday march from Bethpage to Jerusalem. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

The march is led by Palestinian Christian churches. Many Jerusalem congregations join, but West Bank and Gaza Christians often have difficulty making it to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta

Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

Many groups come with their own instruments, singing and dancing along the way. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

A message to the Pope coming in May. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

Christians join from India. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

Christians join from the Congo. Photo EAPPI/K. Ranta.

Pastor Mitri Raheb talks to children about Palm Sunday at Christmas Lutheran Church-Bethlehem. Photo EAPPI/M. Whitton.

Christians in Bethlehem celebrated in Manger Square. Photo EAPPI/M. Whitton.