The war in Gaza hung heavy over Good Friday in Jerusalem with fewer Christian pilgrims walking the path through the walled Old City that they believe Christ took to his crucifixion.
Security was heavy in the narrow alleyways where thousands of Palestinians observing the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan flocked to Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, also in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
"It is deeply touching to be here on Good Friday. There is a deep sadness you can feel in the air, which is probably heightened by what is happening (in Gaza)," said Australian John Timmons, who noted he had thought twice about coming.
Less than 200 metres (yards) away at Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest site, the faithful were also called on to ponder suffering, this time of those under bombardment in Gaza.
"God be with our people in Gaza," the imam said as an Islamic prayer for the dead was recited.
As the preacher's words echoed through the narrow streets on a loudspeaker, Italian Catholic Mario Tioti, 64, said Jerusalem's holiness cut through all the tensions and politics.
Roman Catholics and Protestants were marking Holy Week this week. For the Orthodox churches, Good Friday does not come until May 3.
For some Palestinians headed to Al-Aqsa mosque, getting there had been its own Via Dolorosa.
Linda Al-Khatib said heavy Israeli security had turned what is normally a five-minute journey from her village just outside Jerusalem into a 45-minute ordeal of checks and barriers.
"I came to pray because it is a very special day, especially in Ramadan. But I am very sad, there are not many visitors and there are no people. All the way on the road I was afraid," she said.
An Indian-born nun living in Bethlehem for the last 13 years told AFP that it has never been so "tense" or difficult to enter east Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank at Easter.
But for some, the war keeping tourists away was a gift from on high.
