Israel prevents patriarch – top leaders furious
Updated 21.40 | Published 13.48
Israeli police have stopped Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday – something that has not happened in centuries.
According to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the incident constitutes "a serious violation of fundamental principles of religious freedom" and shows a lack of respect for the feelings of billions of people around the world.
The decision is condemned by, among others, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
"A violation of religious freedom," says Kallas.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that the Israeli ambassador would be summoned on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X that there were “no ill intentions” in the decision, but that it was solely a matter of security reasons due to the Iran war.
FACTS
Palm Sunday and the Mass
The Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem is a solemn Catholic ceremony that dramatizes Jesus’ entry into the city on a donkey, how he is greeted by the people with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna”.
Palm Sunday is the last Sunday before Easter and begins Holy Week in the Christian tradition. The day marks the beginning of Jesus’ suffering before the crucifixion.
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