Ask Onix
Netanyahu grants Latin Patriarch access to Holy Sepulchre after backlash
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Sunday that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will have "full and immediate access" to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, reversing an earlier decision to block his entry during Palm Sunday services.
Cardinal barred from historic Palm Sunday Mass
Cardinal Pizzaballa and Reverend Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police outside the church-believed to be the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection-as they prepared to hold a private Mass marking the start of Holy Week. The Latin Patriarchate called the incident "a grave precedent", noting it was the first time in centuries a Latin Patriarch had been denied entry on Palm Sunday.
"This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the status quo."
Statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The patriarchate emphasized it had complied with all security restrictions since the war began but described Sunday's measure as "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate."
Security concerns cited amid Iranian missile threats
Netanyahu defended the initial ban, stating that worshippers of "all faiths" had been asked to avoid holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City due to repeated Iranian missile strikes. He claimed fragments from one attack landed "meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," justifying the police's "special" safety concerns.
Israeli police confirmed all holy sites in the Old City had been closed to worshippers since 28 February, when the US-Israel conflict with Iran escalated. The traditional Palm Sunday procession was canceled, and the patriarchate's request for an exemption was denied.
International condemnation and diplomatic fallout
The decision drew sharp criticism from Western leaders. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called it an "unfortunate overreach" that was "difficult to understand or justify," though he later acknowledged Israeli efforts to resolve the issue. A US State Department spokesperson urged Israel to "facilitate the safe observance of Holy Week," citing "difficult security conditions" from Iran's attacks.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the move as an "offence against believers and religious freedom," while French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a "worrying increase in violations of the status quo" at Jerusalem's holy sites. Pope Leo XIV, speaking in Rome, paid tribute to "Christians of the Middle East" facing restrictions during Holy Week.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed "great sorrow" over the incident in a call with Cardinal Pizzaballa, reaffirming Israel's commitment to "freedom of religion for all faiths."
Reversal follows private ceremony request
Cardinal Pizzaballa clarified that he had sought only a "brief and small private ceremony," not a public procession. "We want to clarify in the coming days what to do, respecting everyone's safety but also the right to prayer," he said.
Netanyahu's late-night reversal instructed authorities to allow the patriarch "to hold services as he wishes." Huckabee noted the initial rules targeted gatherings of 50+ people, not private worship.
Context: Holy Week under siege
The incident underscores tensions in Jerusalem amid the US-Israel war with Iran, which has disrupted religious observances. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a focal point for Christians worldwide, remains a flashpoint in debates over access and security.
