US EditionWAR CASTS PALL OVER JERUSALEM DURING HOLIDAY SEASON
Catholic leaders said they sought a peaceful Palm Sunday service and live video feed, while Israel cited safety restrictions amid the war with Iran.
- On Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, Israeli police prevented Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other church leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Mass.
- During the ongoing war with Iran, heightened security protocols have led to closure of major holy sites throughout Jerusalem's Old City, citing safety concerns regarding mass gatherings.
- Church leadership condemned the restriction as "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate," noting this marked the first time officials were prevented from entering the site to celebrate the holiday.
- Following international criticism, Netanyahu issued a directive ordering police to provide the Catholic Cardinal with access to the church throughout the week leading to Easter.
- Access limitations affect other religious sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Western Wall, fueling accusations of discriminatory policies that limit access for Palestinians while allowing Jewish Israelis movement.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The press conference of the two highest Catholic authorities in the Holy Land — the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos, Francesco Ielpo — had been called for days to talk about Easter, but it inevitably ended up turning this Tuesday around the incident, with international repercussions, which both starred two days earlier. On Palm Sunday, the Israeli police prevented them from reaching the Holy Sepulchre, where…
Easter celebrations in Jerusalem will be held behind closed doors this year, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, announced today. As he told a press conference today, only a few people and a bishop will participate, but efforts will be made to broadcast live around the world.
Holy Week services will be held without an audience, except with a limited number of faithful and a bishop present.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the place where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and later resurrected.
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