Palm Sunday: monks throw palms to faithful

Franciscan monks and Roman Catholic faithful took to the streets of Jerusalem's Christian Quarter in the Old City to distribute olive branches on Sunday.

It's an alternative to the traditional Palm Sunday procession which was cancelled in line with restrictions ordered to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Worshippers traditionally carry palm fronds and olive branches and march from the top of the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem.

This year the celebrations were much more low key with monks and helpers throwing olive branches to Christians on their balconies or handing them out door to door.

Monks leading the procession said the branches were a "sign of new hope."

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and is the start of the church's most important festival, leading up to Christ's death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

In Israel, more than 8,000 people have contracted the coronavirus and 46 have died.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and can lead to death.