Israeli police block clergy from Jerusalem church on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Procession, Jerusalem 2023.
Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Occupied Jerusalem to celebrate a private Palm Sunday Mass on March 29th, the Associated Press reported on March 30th.
The decision prevented senior clergy, including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, from attending the service at one of Christianity’s holiest sites.
Police reportedly informed church authorities that no Mass could take place, citing safety concerns, including limited access for emergency vehicles in the Old City and a lack of adequate shelter.
A spokesperson said church officials had requested permission for a small number of clergy to hold a private service not open to the public; the request was denied.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the move as a “grave precedent” and said it was “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate”, adding that it undermined freedom of worship and longstanding arrangements governing religious sites.
It also said that private Masses had continued since the war on Iran began on February 28th and questioned why the Palm Sunday service and access for clergy were treated differently.
On March 30th, Israeli police said a “limited prayer framework” had been approved in consultation with the Latin Patriarchate to enable restricted access in the coming days.
Authorities said the measures were intended to safeguard worshippers as the city faces ongoing missile fire linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
During an interview with Italian Catholic broadcaster TG2000, Pizzaballa said there were differences with Israeli authorities over access to the church, but described the exchanges as respectful.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no “malicious intent” and that the cardinal had been prevented from accessing the church due to safety concerns.
He added that Israel would seek to partially reopen the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the coming days.
The decision drew criticism from several countries, including the United States, France and Italy, with officials questioning restrictions on freedom of worship.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a “concerning increase in violations” affecting holy sites.
The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which usually draws large numbers of pilgrims from the Mount of Olives to the Old City, was also cancelled due to security concerns.
Recent services have been limited to fewer than 50 worshippers in line with Israeli military guidelines.
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, one of the most important periods in the Christian calendar, with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre traditionally at the centre of celebrations.
Access to religious sites in Jerusalem has been a recurring source of tension, with Jewish settlers repeatedly storming the al-Aqsa Mosque, often under police protection.
Concerns were also raised about the motives behind closures at the al-Aqsa Mosque during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Associated Press, The Latin Patriarchate via Instagram, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
