Cole shares his experience of Palm Sunday from Jerusalem.

Jerusalem's Palm Sunday procession was beautiful, joyous, and fitting as ever in this hopelessly oppressive context of military occupation. Thousands of Christians in a wonderful smorgasbord of cultures and faith traditions, celebrating and lamenting in various languages and intensities despite the heaviness and despair.

A German youth band, Afro-Friars with a boombox and tambourines, catholic scouts waving flags, orthodox nuns singing, young Palestinians dancing, linen-clad Ethiopians chanting… It wasn't hard to imagine the scene 2,000 years ago; chaotic, confusing, and closely guarded by the occupation forces.

In the tens of thousands, West Bank Christians were once again denied entry by Israeli authorities. Christian Palestinian journalist, Rafi, had a friend among the minority who were granted a permit - despite this, he arrived at the checkpoint near Bethphage only to be denied entry; waiting for hours within earshot of the "Hosannas" as we disappeared down the Mount of Olives without him. There is a dark irony to this annual celebration of Christ's coming; the empire continues.

Christ's kingdom is now… and not yet.

Crossing the checkpoint back to Bethlehem I met a Catholic photographer as he logged his re-entry into the biometric scanner that ensures no Palestinian overstays their permit. Hosanna; save us.