After Palm Sunday Blockade, Israel Restores Patriarch’s Access to Holy Sepulchre

Overview

• Israeli police blocked Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custodian Francesco Ielpo from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday, in what church leaders called the first Palm Sunday disruption there in centuries.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said there was no malicious intent, ordered “full and immediate” access for the Patriarch hours after Sunday’s confrontation.
• The Latin Patriarchate confirmed Monday that it agreed with Israeli authorities on a limited protocol that lets clergy resume Holy Week liturgies with tight limits on attendance.
• Pizzaballa said Tuesday that Easter services at the Holy Sepulchre will take place behind closed doors with a small local congregation and live broadcasts for the wider faithful.
• Israeli officials cite Iranian missile threats, reports of fragments falling near the church, and narrow Old City lanes that hinder large rescue vehicles, with a roughly 50‑person cap on religious events since Feb. 28 that has also curtailed access to Al‑Aqsa, drawing concern from the White House and protests from the Vatican, Brazil, Italy, France, Spain and EU officials.