Israel blocks Christians from Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem | Oborne Unscripted

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Uploaded: 02 Apr 2026 (5 months ago) · Shared: 13 Apr 2026

Video Description (from Youtube)

“It’s Easter… when you would expect tens of thousands of pilgrims. This year it’s completely empty.” Peter Oborne reports from Jerusalem, where access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been

restricted, and the Old City has been effectively shut down during one of the most important moments in the Christian calendar.

Shopkeepers say the closure has devastated their livelihoods, with businesses left empty during what is normally their busiest season.
“No business, no tourists… no money, no honey.”

Residents describe a reality where movement is tightly controlled, and entire areas can be sealed off.

“One soldier can close the whole city.”

Just a few hundred metres away, shopping areas in West Jerusalem remain busy — highlighting what Oborne describes as a system of unequal access and treatment.

He says the closures are not only affecting worship, but are also deepening economic hardship and raising fears about the future of Palestinian Christians in the city.

CHAPTERS
00:00 – “One soldier can close the whole city”
00:12 – Near the Holy Sepulchre: police restrictions
00:23 – Empty Easter at Christianity’s holiest site
01:42 – Holy Sepulchre closed and access blocked
03:06 – Moved on by police, and “security” claims questioned
03:36 – Restrictions around the church
04:36 – Old City emptied during Easter
05:40 – Legal status and control over holy sites
07:12 – Old souq: closed shops and no pilgrims
07:52 – “No business, no tourists… no money, no honey”
08:36 – Shopkeepers and economic hardship
09:06 – “One soldier can close the whole city”
09:49 – Daily life under restrictions
10:26 – Residents on international response
11:37 – The contrast: busy mall vs empty Old City
12:10 – “One set of laws” and unequal access
12:40 – Ending: exclusion, hardship and fear for the future

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Overview & Key Concepts

Who are Oborne Unscripted?

Peter Oborne (born 1957) is a British journalist and broadcaster. He is the former chief political commentator of The Daily Telegraph, from which he

resigned in early 2015.

Who are Middle East Eye?

Middle East Eye (MEE) is a United Kingdom-based media website and channel that primarily focuses on news related to the Middle East, North Africa, and

the broader Muslim world.

Where is Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is a city in the Middle East. It is located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of

the oldest cities in the world, and is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim Jerusalem as their capital, as Israel maintains its primary governmental institutions there and the State of Palestine ultimately foresees it as its seat of power; however, neither claim is widely recognized internationally.

What is Christian?

Christianity is a global religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who followers believe is the Son of God. It's a monotheistic

faith, meaning Christians believe in one God who exists in three co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Christianity is based on the Bible, with the Old Testament and New Testament serving as sacred texts.

What is Israel?

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Middle East. Located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern

shore of the Red Sea. It has land borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan on the east, the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the east and west, respectively, and Egypt to the southwest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.How did James, leader of the Jerusalem Church, view Apostle Paul?

Paul's new doctrine met with disapproval from the Jewish-Christians of the Jerusalem Church led by James, who regarded the substitution of Jesus' atoning death for the observance of the Torah as a lapse into paganism.

Paul was duly summoned to Jerusalem by the leaders James, Peter and John to explain his doctrine in 50 AD.

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