Arabic version: شرطة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي تمنع الكاردينال من دخول كنيسة القيامة للاحتفال بعيد السعف
Israeli police have prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark Palm Sunday Mass. The Catholic Church reported that both Pizzaballa and Francesco Ielpo, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, were denied access on this significant day.
According to Al Jazeera, this marked the first time in centuries that the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church described the police action as a grave precedent that disregards the sensibilities of billions who look to Jerusalem during this holy week.
Israeli police cited safety concerns as the reason for closing all holy sites in Jerusalem. They noted that the Old City’s complexity makes it difficult for emergency services to operate effectively, especially during large gatherings. This decision coincides with the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which has raised tensions in the region.
The Catholic Church had already canceled the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives due to restrictions on group gatherings. However, the church condemned the police’s actions as “manifestly unreasonable” and a significant departure from principles of freedom of worship.
The incident has drawn international condemnation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it an offense to all communities that value religious freedom. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated he had summoned Israel’s ambassador over the matter. French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized the decision, emphasizing the need for guaranteed worship rights for all religions in Jerusalem.
