Israeli police have declared that Jerusalem’s holy sites have been closed since the start of the war
A Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballaof enter the church of the Holy Sepulcher to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, a measure criticized by the governments of Italy and France.
The Latin Patriarchate, a Catholic diocese with faithful in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus, reported that police prevented Pizzaballa and the parish priest from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher when they intended to celebrate Mass on Palm Sunday.
“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, Church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher,” says a statement from the Patriarchate.
According to the diocese, the religious traveled alones, and not in procession, when their passage was blocked and they were forced to return
“This incident constitutes a serious precedent and demonstrates a lack of consideration for the sensitivity of billions of people around the world who, during this week, turn their eyes to Jerusalem”, highlighted the Latin Patriarchate.
Since the start of the war in the Middle East on February 28, Israeli authorities banned large gatheringsincluding those scheduled for synagogues, churches and mosques. Public events are limited to 50 people. The Israeli police declared that the Jerusalem’s holy sites have been closed since the start of the war.
“The Patriarchate’s request was examined yesterday and it was reported that it could not be approved” due to restrictions, police said in a statement sent to AFP.
“The Old City and sacred sites are complex areas that do not allow access for large rescue vehicles in the event of an attack,” the note adds.
O Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that there was “no bad intention” in the actions of the police and the only motivation was “concern for the safety of the patriarch and his entourage”.
Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week, celebrates Jesus’ last entry into Jerusalem, where he was received triumphantly by a crowd a few days before his crucifixion and resurrection on Easter Sunday, according to the Gospels.
O Patriarchate Latino had already announced the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday processionwhich normally leaves the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem and attracts thousands of believers.
“The heads of the Churches have acted with full responsibility and, since the beginning of the war, have respected all restrictions imposed,” declared the Patriarchate.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, denounced “an offense not only to the faithful, but to any community that respects religious freedom”. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will summon Israel’s ambassador.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, condemned the decision and stated that it adds to a “worrying multiplication of violations of the status of the Holy Places of Jerusalem”.
*AFP
