In an unprecedented incident that sparked international backlash, Israeli police yesterday prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday for Catholics. This action, recorded for the first time in centuries, is characterized as a grave violation of the status quo governing the management of Holy Sepulchre sites. The cardinal was accompanied by the official guardian of the Holy Sepulchre, Father Francesco Yelpo, and was heading to the church to conduct the liturgy.
“Political motivation” seen by Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Despite the fact that official processions had been cancelled by Israeli authorities for security reasons due to the war, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem emphasized that the two hierarchs were moving privately, without any ceremonial character or procession. However, police stopped them and forced them to leave, preventing access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s announcement was scathing, referring to “political motivation” behind the decision. It characterized the measure as “manifestly unreasonable” and “tainted by inappropriate motivations,” questioning police claims about difficulty accessing emergency vehicles in the Old City. The Roman Catholic Church in Jerusalem stressed that since the onset of hostilities with Iran, it has shown full responsibility, but this specific ban offends the sensibilities of billions of Christians.
Israeli police, for their part, stated they had informed the clerics from the previous day that their request to go to the church was not approved for security reasons. “Since the start of Operation ‘Roaring Lion’ and according to Home Front Command instructions, all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City are closed to worshippers, particularly locations that don’t have formal protected areas, aimed at ensuring public safety,” police said in a statement. “The patriarch’s request was examined yesterday and it was clarified that it could not be approved for the above reasons.”
It should be noted that since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran on February 28, Israeli authorities have, for security reasons, restricted access to the Old City only to residents and shop owners. Earlier this month, fragments from intercepted Iranian missiles fell near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Restrictions extend to all holy sites, including the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which remain closed since March 6. Gatherings in Jerusalem are limited to 50 people, provided there is nearby shelter. Israeli police also noted that the Old City and Jerusalem’s holy sites “constitute a complex area that doesn’t allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, significantly hampering response capabilities and creating real danger to human lives in case of a mass incident.” The statement concluded emphasizing that “freedom of worship will continue to be ensured, subject to necessary restrictions.”
Communication between Israel’s president and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Domestically in Israel, the incident caused fierce political confrontation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog contacted the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressing his “great sorrow” over the Israeli police decision. “I clarified that the incident arose from security concerns due to the ongoing threat of missile attacks from the Iranian terrorist regime against Israeli civilians, following previous incidents where Iranian missiles fell in the Jerusalem Old City area in recent days,” Herzog stated.
“I reaffirmed the State of Israel’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom for all faiths and maintaining the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites,” he added. Member of Knesset Gilad Kariv launched an attack on far-right hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and far-right activist Bentzi Gopstein. Kariv denounced how the influence of hardline figures, who have in the past even called for burning churches, within the relevant minister’s office leads police to complete failure in managing relations with Christian churches, exposing the country to a useless diplomatic incident.
“Fire” from Meloni, Macron, Sanchez
International reactions were sharp. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their strong displeasure, while Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the Israeli ambassador to Rome for explanations. The obstruction “without reason or cause” of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday liturgy (for Catholics) constitutes an “unjustified attack on religious freedom,” denounced Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “From the Spanish government, we condemn this unjustified attack on religious freedom and demand that Israel respect the diversity of religious beliefs and international law. Because without tolerance, coexistence is impossible,” Pedro Sanchez stated in a post on platform X.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Israel’s decision to prevent high-ranking Catholic clergy from conducting services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday is “difficult to understand or justify.” “Preventing the Patriarch from entering the church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify. Israel has stated it will work with the Patriarch to ensure a safe way to conduct Holy Week events,” he noted. Also, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned what she called a “violation of religious freedom.” “The Israeli police decision to ban the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday constitutes a violation of religious freedom and the long-standing guarantees governing holy sites,” she argued. “Freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be fully guaranteed, without exceptions, for all religions. Jerusalem’s multi-religious character must be protected,” she added in a social media post, without commenting on the Israeli side’s justification for the measure.
180-degree turn by Israel after international uproar
After the international uproar, Tel Aviv was forced into a 180-degree turn for fear of turning the Christian world against the state of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu announced that measures would be taken to allow Christian church leaders to visit the Church of the Resurrection in the coming days. His office said a plan is being prepared to allow Christian leaders to conduct worship services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “In recent days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles. In one strike, missile fragments fell just meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” Netanyahu’s office said on X. “As a result, Israel temporarily asked worshippers of all faiths not to visit holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, for their protection.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said police would meet with Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa to find solutions while ensuring security. “All security and precautionary instructions in the Old City are a direct result of Iranian missile attacks,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “As is known, the Iranian regime has fired missiles toward the Old City on repeated occasions, striking areas near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall.” “In light of this, and in order to protect the lives of worshippers of all faiths, preventive instructions have been issued for all holy sites of all religions and mass gatherings are not possible,” it continued. “The danger of a mass incident in the Old City is particularly heightened due to the area’s density and difficulty deploying first responders in case of such an event.” “Police will meet with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and will examine solutions that allow as normal functioning as possible, while ensuring public safety.”
What will happen with Holy Fire transport to Greece
In this climate, it remains unclear whether Greece will be able to transport the Holy Fire, as, in case of official prohibition, safe air transport would not be feasible. However, in an emergency meeting held by the Council of Church Heads, under Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, regarding the Holy Fire ceremony ban, approval was given to send a letter to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar for clear answers. The letter already sent to Israeli officials requests that ceremonies proceed normally on Holy Saturday for the Holy Fire ceremony. The Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre appears ready to face a Holy Fire ceremony ban, given that even if the Great Gate to the Holy Courtyard remains closed, the entrance connecting the monks’ cells to the Holy Edicule, Calvary, and the Church of the Resurrection is internal and always accessible to the fathers. Scenarios suggest minimal worshipper presence, as occurred during the 2020 pandemic period. As a last resort, the Holy Sepulchre monks and other Christian denominations would request at least six people to attend.
The Foreign Ministry, which monitors developments and prevailing conditions, will do whatever is required for the Holy Fire’s arrival, assured the government spokesman on the issue that has arisen given continuing hostilities in the Middle East and their impact on air transport. In a radio interview with Real FM, he stated that even “with few people present, the goal is – and I believe it will be achieved – to secure something sacred for all Christians during these holy days. So there’s no need for panic, no need for uncertainty among citizens and believers.” He added: “The Foreign Ministry is on top of this, there’s constant communication, and one way or another, whether through traditional means or with fewer people, with a very small delegation for security reasons, it will arrive on time so celebrations continue and these holy days are celebrated exactly as they should be in Christianity.”
