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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 ...
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New Barrier on the Plains: U.S. to Shut Down Historic Border Road

 

            A road sign alongside the United States border road near Coutts, Alta., Thursday, March 19, 2026. 

The United States is moving ahead with plans to close a long‑shared gravel road along the Alberta–Montana border, ending decades of easy cross‑border access for local residents. The 14‑kilometre stretch, known simply as Border Road, has been a symbol of neighbourly cooperation for generations, but will soon be off‑limits to Canadian drivers as U.S. officials cite concerns over illegal crossings and drug trafficking. 

A Road With History — and Deep Personal Ties

For families living on both sides of the border, the road has never been just a road. Residents Ross Ford of Alberta and Roger Horgus of Montana, friends since childhood and once profiled by National Geographic for their cross‑border camaraderie, say the closure marks the end of an era. Both recall freely biking, riding horses, and visiting each other without obstruction. 

U.S. Security Concerns Drive the Decision

U.S. border officials argue the move is necessary due to a reported rise in illegal activity, though locals say they’ve seen no such increase. Historically, patrol officers would wave neighbours through; now, the road will be physically divided, with each country maintaining its own parallel route. 

Alberta Plans a Replacement

To preserve local access, Alberta’s government has committed $8 million to build a new Canadian‑side road, with construction expected to begin in April and finish by summer. Officials emphasize that while the border line may harden, the relationships between families and farmers on both sides will endure. 


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