Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher and other major holy sites were closed on Palm Sunday under Israeli wartime restrictions, disrupting one of Christianity’s holiest celebrations as the war in Iran entered its fifth week.
The Catholic Church labeled the police decision as ‘a manifestly unreasonable and highly disproportionate measure’.
Israeli police deplored wartime restrictions that limited worship and recognized the need to “balance freedom” with “public security.”
“According to Home Front Command guidelines, life-saving restrictions apply to all holy sites in the Old City – for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike,” the Israeli said. police posted on Xin response to a protest against religious freedom in a video statement. “The Old City has been the target of murderous rockets several times this month, in addition to continued fire on residential areas.”
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Issa Kassissieh, a Christian popular for being the city’s Santa Claus, holds a cross and a palm leaf as he stands at the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher after finding them locked following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)
“These threats make no distinction between religions, and neither does our duty to protect you,” the statement continued. “We are in active dialogue with religious leaders, including an upcoming meeting with the Patriarch, to explore solutions that balance freedom of worship with public safety.”
The Latin Patriarchate said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police as they tried to reach the church privately to celebrate Mass, after the traditional Palm Sunday procession had already been canceled.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the limited worshipers to “express my deep sorrow over this morning’s unfortunate incident.”
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“I clarified that the incident arose out of security concerns due to the continued threat of missile attacks by the Iranian terror regime against the civilian population in Israel, following previous incidents involving Iranian missiles striking the area of the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days,” he wrote on Sunday on
The Italian government rebuked what it called a “violation” of “religious freedom” in the Holy Land.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, held a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives amid restrictions on gathering in large groups and the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. (Ammar Awad/swimming pool)
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“The Italian government expresses its solidarity with Cardinal Pizzaballa, Father Ielpo and the religious who were prevented today by the Israeli authorities from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Holy Sepulchre,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote in a statement. “The Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem is a sacred place of Christianity and as such must be preserved and protected for the celebration of sacred rites. Preventing the entry of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land, moreover, on a central solemnity of the faith, such as Palm Sunday, constitutes an offense not only for believers, but for any community that recognizes religious freedom.”
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The Latin Patriarchate said the Church of the Holy Sepulcher has been hosting Masses that have not been open to the public since the war in Iran began on February 28, and that it was unclear why the Sunday Mass and the access of the two priests were different.
“It is a very, very holy day for Christians and in our opinion there was no justification for such a decision or such action,” said Farid Jubran, spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The church had asked police for permission, he added, to allow some religious leaders to enter the church for a private Sunday Mass — not one open to the public.
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Pope Leo He said “in many cases they cannot fully observe the rituals of these holy days,” although he did not elaborate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday evening that there was no “malicious intent” and that the cardinal was denied access to the church due to security concerns, but that Israel would try to partially open the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
“Given the sanctity of the week leading up to Easter for the world’s Christians, Israeli security forces are putting together a plan to allow church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
The Western Wall, a holy site for Jews, is also largely closed due to security concerns, but authorities are allowing up to 50 people to pray at a time in a closed area next to the square.
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Smaller churches, synagogues and mosques are open in Jerusalem’s Old City if they are within a certain distance of a bomb shelter deemed acceptable by the Israeli military and if they host gatherings of fewer than 50 people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
