Israeli police have defended the decision to close Jerusalem’s holy sites on Palm Sunday
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The Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulcher and other holy sites were closed on Palm Sunday under Israel’s war restrictions, disrupting one of the holiest Christian festivals as the war in Iran entered its fifth week.
The Catholic Church condemned the police decision as “an obviously unreasonable and highly disproportionate measure.”
Israeli police have complained about military restrictions that limit worship and acknowledged the need to “balance freedom” with “public safety.”
“Under the instructions of the Home Front Command, life-saving restrictions are in effect in all holy places in the Old City – for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike,” the Israeli police sent to X, responding to the religious freedom appeal in a video statement. “The Old City has been hit by deadly missiles several times this month, as well as ongoing fires in residential areas.”
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Issa Kassissieh, a Christian known as the city’s Santa Claus, holds a cross and palm while standing 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 do not discriminate against religions, 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 sneak into the church to celebrate Mass, after the traditional Palm Sunday procession had already been cancelled.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the banned worshipers to “express my deep sorrow for today’s unfortunate incident.”
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“I clarified that this incident is caused by security concerns due to the ongoing threat of missile attacks from the terrorist regime of Iran against Israeli citizens, following previous incidents where Iranian missiles fell in the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days,” he wrote on Sunday in X.
Italy condemned what it called a “crime” against “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 to the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on large gatherings and the US-Israel conflict with Iran. (Ammar Awad/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 at the Holy Sepulcher,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni said in a statement. “The Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem is a holy place of Christianity, and therefore it must be preserved and protected in order to celebrate the holy rituals. To prevent the entry of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land, in addition to interfaith worship such as Palm Sunday, is not only an offense to the believers, but to the entire community that is aware of religious freedom.”
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The Latin Patriarchate said the Church of the Holy Sepulcher had been holding Masses that were not open to the public since the start of the Iran war on February 28, and it was unclear why Sunday’s Mass and access to the two priests were different.
“It is a very holy day for Christians and in our opinion there was no reason to take this decision or such an action,” said Farid Jubran, spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The church has asked the police for permission, he added, for a few religious leaders to enter the church for a private Mass on Sunday – not one open to the public.
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Pope Leo XIV, at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, he prayed for all Christians in the Middle East who said they were living in the midst of a “brutal” conflict. He said, “in many cases, they cannot fully live the rituals of these holy days,” although he did not elaborate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday evening that there was no “bad intention” and that the cardinal was banned from entering the church due to security concerns, but Israel will try to open the Church of the Holy Sepulcher slowly.
“Given the sanctity of the church leading up to Easter for the Christians of the world, Israel’s security forces are making a plan to allow church leaders to worship in the holy place in the coming days,” Netanyahu wrote in X.
The Western Wall, a Jewish holy site, is also largely closed due to security concerns, but authorities allow up to 50 people at a time to pray in a fenced area near the plaza.
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Small churches, synagogues and mosques are open in the Old City of Jerusalem if they are located within a certain distance of a bomb shelter that is considered acceptable by the Israeli army and, if gatherings are kept under 50 people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
