Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “for the first time in centuries”, church officials said, citing security concerns amid Israel’s war with Iran.
Two of the church’s top religious leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the head of the Custos in the Holy Land, were barred from celebrating at the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead.
The two were proceeding privately, without any formal procession, and “they were forced to turn back,” said the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which manages the affairs of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land and is the custodian of the Holy Land. a joint statement.
The statement further said, “This incident sets a grave precedent and disregard for the sensitivities of the billions of people around the world who look to Jerusalem during this week.”
It also called the police decision a “clearly unfair and extremely disproportionate measure”.
Major holy sites of Jerusalem closed due to Iran war
Israeli police said all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City were closed to worshipers since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
“The Patriarch’s request was reviewed yesterday and it was made clear that it cannot be granted,” it said in a statement to the French AFP news agency.
“The Old City and holy sites are complex areas that do not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real threat to human life in the event of mass casualties,” the force said.
However, the Latin Patriarchate said the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the religion’s holiest site, which has been hosting masses since the start of the Iran war on February 28, is not open to the public.
Farid Jubran, a spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said, “This is a very holy day for Christians, and in our opinion, there was no justification for such a decision or such an action.”
Palm Sunday celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins a week of solemn commemoration for Christians who follow the Latin calendar, culminating in Easter the following Sunday.
PM Netanyahu’s office denies ‘malicious intent’
In response to the criticism, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied any “malicious intent” behind the decision to block the entry of Catholic leaders.
“Today, out of particular concern for his safety, Jerusalem Police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from celebrating mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher this morning,” the office said on X.
It said Israeli officials were “devising a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the police action against Pizzaballa and Ilpo, who are both Italian citizens, calling it “an insult not only to the faithful, but also to every community that recognizes freedom of worship.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Israeli ambassador to Italy would be summoned on Monday to explain the police decision.
Edited by: Rana Taha