Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre “for the first time in centuries,” church officials said, citing security concerns amid the war with Iran.
Two of the church’s top religious figures, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the head of the Custody of the Holy Land, were blocked from celebrating at the site Christians believe is where Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody said in a joint statement that the two were proceeding privately, without any ceremonial procession, and “were compelled to turn back.”
The statement called the incident “a grave precedent” that disrespects the sensibilities of billions who look to Jerusalem during this week, describing the police decision as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
Israeli police said all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City have been closed to worshippers since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. The force told AFP the patriarch’s request was reviewed and could not be approved, saying the Old City and its holy sites are a complex area that does not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real risk to human life in the event of a mass casualty incident.
The Latin Patriarchate noted, however, that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been hosting masses not open to the public since the Iran war began on February 28. “It’s a very, very sacred day for Christians, and in our opinion, there was no justification for such a decision or such an action,” said Farid Jubran, the Latin Patriarchate’s spokesperson.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and begins Holy Week for Christians who follow the Latin calendar, culminating in Easter.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied any “malicious intent,” saying police acted out of special concern for safety and that authorities were planning to enable church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the action, calling it “an insult not only to the faithful, but also to every community recognizing freedom of worship.” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel’s ambassador to Italy would be summoned to explain the decision.
The United States described the incident as “an unfortunate overreach.” US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said the proposed prayer was well below Israel’s 50-person limit for gatherings and called it difficult to understand barring the patriarch from entry for a private ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the move contributed to a troubling rise in “violations of the status of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem,” adding that the free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions. Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned the action as a “flagrant violation” and called for an end to restrictions on worshippers’ access to holy sites.
Edited by: Rana Taha