Christians in the Holy land must be free to worship without the threat of violence or provocation, the Tánaiste has said.

Mícheal Martin told The Irish Catholic he is “concerned by the increasing acts of violence against Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem”.

He added that the “imposition of restrictions on non-Jewish religious ceremonies” is also concerning.

“Ireland – and indeed the EU and the UN Security Council – has been consistently clear in insisting that the status quo of the holy sites must be respected.

“Furthermore, peaceful worshippers must be allowed to exercise their right to freedom of religion and worship freely and without threats, violence or provocation,” he said in his statement.