Israeli Police Block Catholic Leaders from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday
Israeli police have prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, an event church authorities in Jerusalem say has been blocked "for the first time in centuries."
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, along with Rev Francesco Ielpo, were stopped outside the holy site on the first day of the most significant period in the Christian calendar, according to their office.
Security Concerns Cited by Israeli Authorities
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that worshippers "from all faiths" were asked not to attend sites in Jerusalem's Old City due to safety concerns following recent Iranian attacks.
However, this decision has drawn strong international criticism. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as an "unfortunate overreach" that was "difficult to understand or justify."
Church Authorities Respond to the Incident
Church officials issued a statement confirming that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Rev Francesco Ielpo were "compelled" to turn back from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday. The church is regarded by Christians as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world, who during this week, look to Jerusalem.
This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the status quo.
The patriarchate emphasized that it had complied with all "imposed restrictions" and acted responsibly since the war began, adding that Sunday's decision was "a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure."
International Reactions
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the move as "an offence not only against believers but against every community that recognises religious freedom." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he had summoned Israel's ambassador to Italy for an explanation.
French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized the decision, noting it occurred amid "the worrying increase in violations of the status of the Holy Places in Jerusalem."
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.
Macron made this statement on X.
Israeli Government Explains the Decision
Prime Minister Netanyahu explained that police acted out of "special" safety concerns and that plans were being developed to allow church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.
The traditional Palm Sunday procession into the city had already been cancelled due to restrictions on public gatherings.
Israeli police stated that all holy sites in the Old City have been closed to worshippers since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began on 28 February for security reasons. The police rejected the patriarchate's request for an exemption to hold Palm Sunday services.
Netanyahu noted that holy sites belonging to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim worshippers have been "repeatedly targeted" by Iranian missile strikes recently.
In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
He added in a statement shared on X that Sunday's decision involved "no malicious intent whatsoever."
As a result, Israel has temporarily asked worshippers from all faiths not to worship at the holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City to protect them.
