Israeli Police Block Catholic Leaders From Palm Sunday Mass In Jerusalem

Israeli police on Sunday prevented Catholic leaders from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, citing security concerns amid the ongoing war with Iran.

Church officials described the move as unprecedented, saying it was “for the first time in centuries” that such restrictions had stopped senior clergy from observing the sacred day at the holy site.

Among those affected were Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the head of the Custos in the Holy Land, who were reportedly blocked from accessing the church where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected.

According to a joint statement by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, the clerics were proceeding privately without any ceremonial procession but “were compelled to turn back.”

“This incident is a grave precedent, and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem,” the statement said.

The church authorities also described the police decision as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”

However, Israeli police defended the action, stating that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been closed to worshippers since the outbreak of the war.

“The Patriarch’s request was reviewed yesterday, and it was clarified that it could not be approved,” the police said in a statement to AFP.

“The Old City and the holy sites constitute 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 statement added.

Despite the restrictions, the Latin Patriarchate noted that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had continued to host masses not open to the public since the 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, spokesperson for the Patriarchate.

Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates in Easter.
Reacting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied any “malicious intent” behind the decision.

“Today, out of special concern for his safety, Jerusalem police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from holding mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” Netanyahu’s office said on X.

The office added that authorities were “putting together a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the development, describing it as “an insult not only to the faithful, but also to every community recognizing freedom of worship.”

Also reacting, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, said the Israeli ambassador to Italy would be summoned on Monday to explain the police action.