Israeli security officers on Sunday prevented the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday service, according to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Patriarchate said the Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who serves as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was turned back by police while attempting to enter the church quietly, without any ceremonial procession. He was accompanied by Francesco Ielpo, the Custos of the Holy Land and official guardian of the site.
Church officials described the development as unprecedented, noting that it marked the first time in centuries that the leaders of the Church were unable to preside over Palm Sunday prayers at the revered location.
In its reaction, the Patriarchate criticised the decision, calling it excessive and insensitive to millions of Christians worldwide who look to Jerusalem during the Holy Week period. It added that the action violated long-standing religious arrangements and undermined the principle of freedom of worship.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities on the incident.
The development comes amid tight security measures introduced since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on February 28. Israeli authorities have imposed strict limits on public gatherings at religious centres, including synagogues, mosques and churches, restricting attendance to about 50 people.
Earlier, the Patriarchate had already announced the cancellation of the customary Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem’s Old City, an event that typically draws thousands of pilgrims each year.
Church leaders said they had complied with all safety directives since the crisis began but insisted that preventing the Patriarch and the Custos from accessing the Holy Sepulchre represented a serious departure from established norms governing religious practice in the city.
They warned that the decision sets a troubling precedent and called for respect for the historical status quo that governs worship at holy sites in Jerusalem.
