Israeli Police Restrict Catholic Clergy Access to Church of the Holy Sepulchre Amid Security Measures

By Ronny Reyes

*Published: 2026-03-29*

Israeli police prevented Catholic clergy, including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on Palm Sunday for private prayer, citing security concerns related to ongoing Iranian missile attacks. The restrictions applied to all holy sites in the area, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Earlier that day, Catholic officials had been informed they could not hold Mass at the church, a site traditionally associated with Jesus's crucifixion and burial. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Father Francesco Ielpo—who oversees the site—and two other priests were stopped by police while en route for a private prayer service, according to statements from Catholic officials.

The incident occurred amid heightened security measures following Iran's retaliatory missile strikes on Israel. Israeli authorities closed all religious sites in Jerusalem's Old City that day to limit public gatherings, in line with Home Front Command guidelines capping assemblies at 50 people or fewer due to risks from potential mass casualty events.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee commented on the restrictions via X, stating that while pauses on large gatherings are understandable given the Iranian bombardments, preventing the four clergy from a private visit was "an unfortunate overreach." He noted the visit complied with guidelines and added, "For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify." Huckabee also reported that Israel had indicated it would work with Pizzaballa to arrange safe Holy Week activities.

Catholic officials described the event as the first time in centuries that church leaders had been prevented from observing Palm Sunday at the site. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land issued a joint statement calling the measure "a grave precedent" that "disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem," and labeled it "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate."

Israeli police explained the broader closures by noting that the Old City's narrow streets and holy sites complicate access for emergency and rescue vehicles, posing risks in the event of attacks. An Iranian missile fragment had struck near the church in recent days, according to Netanyahu's office, which emphasized "no malicious intent whatsoever."

The Prime Minister's Office announced that police would meet with Pizzaballa to reach a compromise on access. It further stated plans to enable church leaders' worship in the coming days following the incident. Israeli President Isaac Herzog telephoned Pizzaballa to express sorrow, clarifying that the decision arose from "security concerns due to the continuous threat of missile attacks from the Iranian terror regime against the civilian population in Israel," including prior impacts near the Old City.

Worshippers gathered instead at the Monastery of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre remained closed.

The Jerusalem Post reported on the planned discussions between police and Pizzaballa, as stated by the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Netanyahu's office.

Italy's foreign ministry summoned Israel's ambassador to Rome, Jonathan Peled, to address the matter.

The restrictions reflect broader wartime protocols. Israel's Home Front Command had issued alerts due to Iran's ongoing attacks, which followed escalations in regional conflicts. Similar measures affected multiple faiths: the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a key site for Muslims during Ramadan, was also inaccessible that day under the same guidelines.

No injuries were reported from the clergy's encounter with police, and discussions for alternative arrangements proceeded promptly after the event.

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