Netanyahu Grants Latin Patriarch Full Access to Holy Site
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will now be granted “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, following earlier restrictions imposed by Israeli police. The decision follows an incident on Palm Sunday when the cardinal was prevented from entering the church during a Mass to commemorate the start of Holy Week.
Netanyahu explained that the cardinal, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, had been asked not to enter the site out of safety concerns. He cited Iran’s repeated ballistic missile strikes targeting Jerusalem’s holy locations as a key reason for the precaution. The move drew criticism from several Western nations, including the United States, where Ambassador Mike Huckabee called it “an unfortunate overreach” and “difficult to understand or justify.”
“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,” stated the patriarchate.
Church authorities confirmed that Cardinal Pizzaballa and Reverend Francesco Ielpo were stopped outside the church, believed to be the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. The patriarchate called the incident “the first time in centuries” a Latin Patriarch had been denied access on Palm Sunday, emphasizing its significance. The cardinal and his colleague had been “compelled” to return to the site without entering, according to their office.
Netanyahu highlighted that worshippers of all faiths had been urged to avoid Jerusalem’s Old City due to recent Iranian missile attacks. Israeli police had closed holy sites in the area since the conflict with Iran began on 28 February, citing security risks. They rejected the patriarchate’s request for a Palm Sunday exemption, though plans are being made to allow religious leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.
The Latin Patriarch’s office stated that Sunday’s action was “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” while Netanyahu assured there was “no malicious intent whatsoever” behind the initial decision. He added that the situation would be clarified further in the days ahead, balancing safety with the right to prayer.
“We want to use this situation to try to clarify better in the coming days what to do, in respect for everyone’s safety but also in respect for the right to prayer,” Cardinal Pizzaballa remarked.
International reactions included condemnation from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called the move “an offence not only against believers but against every community that recognises religious freedom.” French President Emmanuel Macron echoed concerns about “the worrying increase in violations of the status of the Holy Places in Jerusalem,” linking the decision to the ongoing security challenges in the region.
