Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Francesco Ielpo, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, from entering the church to mark Palm Sunday Mass. According to a statement from the Catholic Church, this incident marks the first time in centuries that church leaders have been barred from celebrating the service at this sacred site, which it described as a "grave precedent" that disregards the sensibilities of billions worldwide.
The Catholic Church condemned the Israeli authorities' actions, labeling them a "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure." In its statement, the church asserted that 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, raising significant concerns about religious freedoms in the region.
Israeli police justified the ban by citing safety concerns, stating that all holy sites in Jerusalem were closed due to risks amid the United States and Israel's war on Iran. In a statement to AFP, the police force explained that the Old City and holy sites constitute a complex area where access for large emergency and rescue vehicles is limited, significantly challenging response capabilities and posing a real risk to human life in the event of a mass casualty incident.
The incident drew international condemnation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it "an offence not only to the faithful, but to any community that respects religious freedom." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on X that he had summoned Israel's ambassador over the matter. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the decision, emphasizing that worship "for all religions" must be guaranteed in Jerusalem.
This event occurs against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions due to the war allegedly waged by the US and Israeli regimes against Iran, which has exacerbated access issues to holy sites. The simultaneous closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim month of Ramadan, coinciding with the conflict, further complicates religious freedom concerns, prompting criticism from the international community over the handling of sacred spaces.
Source: www.aljazeera.com