CHRISTIANS FIST FIGHT AT JERUSALEM’S HOLY SEPULCHRE

Reuters
April 20 2008

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A scuffle broke out at the traditional site of
Jesus’ burial on Sunday when Greek Orthodox and Armenian believers, who
fiercely protect their hold over sections of the shrine, traded blows.

Police said a fist-fight broke out after Armenian worshippers yanked
a Greek Orthodox cleric away from a tomb in Jerusalem’s Church of
the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and
resurrection.

A spokesman said he did know the precise cause of the scuffle. Fights
are not uncommon among the representatives of Christian sects who
jealously guard their rights to parts of the centuries-old church.

"There is always tension there between the different sides," police
spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. "That’s why police were on scene ahead
of time to prevent any arguments or disturbances from breaking out."

No injuries were reported but two Armenians were briefly detained.

Worshippers had gathered at the church in the Old City for Orthodox
Palm Sunday, when eastern churches celebrate Jesus’ entrance into
Jerusalem on a donkey. Western churches celebrated Palm Sunday and
Easter last month.

About 100 Armenians gathered at a Jerusalem police station to protest
the detention of the two men but were later dispersed.