(VOVWORLD) -European leaders on Sunday voiced strong protests after Israeli security forces prevented Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate a major liturgy.
Israeli police established strict checkpoints throughout Jerusalem’s Old City under which Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was turned away by authorities from entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—the holiest site in Christianity—where they were to preside over the Mass marking the start of Holy Week.
Israel's actions immediately drew sharp criticism from numerous European leaders. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denounced it as a "violation of religious freedom and long-standing protections governing holy sites". "Freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be fully guaranteed, without exception, for all faiths. Jerusalem's multi-religious character must be protected," she added in a social media post.
Both French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the Israeli police's actions. On Monday, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani separately said on X he had summoned Israel's ambassador over the incident.
Facing public pressure and the prospect of a diplomatic crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved to de-escalate the tensions. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that security forces were reviewing measures to create a "limited prayer framework" to allow Christian leaders to worship at the holy site.
He instructed relevant authorities to grant Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, "full and immediate access" to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform ceremonies for the remainder of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for Christians, marks Christ's final entry into Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion and resurrection, according to the Gospels.