Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that Catholic leaders in the Holy Land will have “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, just hours after Israeli police blocked the two most senior Catholics in the Holy Land from celebrating Palm Sunday at the site traditionally associated with Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Officers prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, from quietly entering the church to lead the liturgy without a congregation.
The police actions sparked immediate condemnation around the world, forcing Mr. Netanyahu to intervene and calm a political and religious storm during Holy Week.
The Latin Patriarchate said it was the first time in centuries that the Church’s senior leadership in the Holy Land was unable to celebrate Palm Sunday at the church.
“THIS INCIDENT DISREGARDS THE SENSIBILITIES OF BILLIONS OF PEOPLE”
“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 Patriarchate stated.
“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa later said while he did “not want to force the issue. We had not asked for anything public, just a brief and small private ceremony”.
WHY THE PRIESTS WERE LOCKED OUT
Israeli police said the decision was part of broader security measures, noting that holy sites in Jerusalem remain closed and that the Old City’s narrow streets would make it difficult for emergency services to respond in the event of a major incident.
But that didn’t satisfy prominent Christians and political leaders.
US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said it was an “unfortunate overreach” that was “difficult to understand or justify”.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “decision by the Israeli police, which adds to the alarming proliferation of violations of the status quo of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites.”
“The free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions,” he added.
THE VIEW FROM ROME
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “an offence, not only to the faithful, but to any community that respects religious freedom.”
Her foreign minister summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was more measured.
He paid tribute to “the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases, cannot fully live the rites of these holy days.”
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU’S EXPLANATION
Prime Minister Netanyahu said Cardinal Pizzaballa had been asked not to enter the church out of concern for his safety.
He said Iran had repeatedly targeted Jerusalem’s holy sites belonging to Christians, Jews and Muslims, with ballistic missiles.
“In one strike, missile fragments crashed just metres from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” he warned.
Mr Netanyahu stressed that the police action involved “no malicious intent whatsoever”.
ISRAEL’S PM GRANTS “FULL, IMMEDIATE ACCESS” TO TOP PRIEST
The Israeli PM initially said a plan was being drawn up to allow Church leaders to worship at the church site in the coming days.
But after the outcry, he announced late on Sunday night that he had instructed relevant authorities to grant the Latin Patriarch “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, so he can “hold services as he wishes”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he had called Cardinal Pizzaballa to express his “great sorrow” over the “unfortunate incident”.
He said he had also reaffirmed “Israel’s unwavering commitment to freedom of religion for all faiths and to upholding the status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem”.
CLOUD OF WAR HANGS OVER EASTER IN THE HOLY LAND
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
This year, Israeli authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on public gatherings following the outbreak of war with Iran.
Most traditional services to mark Holy Week won’t be taking place in Jerusalem
The traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City was cancelled and replaced by a moment of prayer.
GARDEN TOMB REMAINS CLOSED
All religious services across the country have been tightly restricted, with attendance capped at around 50 people.
Services at the Garden Tomb just outside the walls of the Old City remain closed to the public.
Director Reverend Simon Holland told Paul Calvert, a Christian journalist in the Holy Land:
“When the sirens go off, we have one and a half minutes to get to a bomb shelter.”
“Then we wait, usually around 10 minutes, or until we get this great message: ‘The event has ended’”
“OUR ULTIMATE SHELTER IS IN GOD”
“I always link that message into the event at the Cross, where Jesus says ‘It’s finished’, and we can begin again in the resurrected life of Christ.”
“So it’s important that we keep safe, but our ultimate shelter is in God”.
The Garden Tomb is located close to the Old City’s Damascus Gate and is regarded as a possible location for the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
It is owned and run by a British Christian charity and funded by public donations.
‘WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE OF PEACE, WORSHIP, WELCOME AND HOPE”
Around half a million people visit each year, but because of the current restrictions Reverend Holland said:
“We’ve had to sadly say goodbye to a large number of the team.”
“Most of the guides who come from overseas have all gone home via Jordan, but we will do what we can.”
“We want this to be a place where there’s peace, worship, welcome and hope.”
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