Holy Week Tensions Rise as Israel Blocks Cardinal from Entering Sacred Jerusalem Site

 

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups, in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026.

Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread criticism from Christian leaders and governments worldwide. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, noting that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been temporarily closed due to the threat of missile strikes.

The Latin Patriarchate condemned the move as an unprecedented disruption of centuries‑old tradition, marking the first time church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that the decision was made out of concern for the cardinal’s safety, emphasizing that there was “no malicious intent,” and subsequently instructed authorities to restore access for the remainder of Holy Week. 

The restrictions have affected not only Christian observances but also Ramadan and Passover, as worshippers of all three Abrahamic faiths face limited access to sacred spaces amid heightened regional conflict.