Israel blocks Christian worship for the first time in centuries
The Israeli police sparked an international outcry on Palm Sunday by stopping the highest Catholic authority in the Holy Land from celebrating Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The Incident
- At midday on Palm Sunday, police officers intercepted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, the official guardian of the basilica, as they made their way to the church.
- The authorities barred them from entering the sanctuary, effectively preventing the traditional Palm Sunday liturgy from being celebrated.
“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem wrote in a statement.
International Reactions
World leaders quickly condemned the decision, emphasizing the significance of the ceremony for Christianity:
- Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
- Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
Both leaders described the move as an affront to religious freedom and a disruption of one of Christianity’s most solemn celebrations.
Statement from the Latin Patriarchate
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees Catholic territories across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus, issued a formal protest. It accused the Israeli police of “unjustified interference” and called for an immediate reversal of the decision, stressing the importance of maintaining the historic right of the Catholic Church to conduct its liturgical rites at the holy site.
The incident has reignited debates over religious access and security policies in the contested city, with many observers warning that such actions could further strain interfaith relations in the region