Overview
- Israeli police, in a move church leaders called unprecedented, stopped Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custodian Francesco Ielpo from entering the Holy Sepulchre to lead Palm Sunday services on Sunday.
- Authorities said the closure stems from wartime security risks tied to the Iran conflict and the Old City's limits on moving fire trucks and ambulances through crowded, shelter‑less streets.
- Italy condemned the action as an offense to religious freedom and said it will summon Israel's ambassador, while France raised concerns over the status of holy sites and the U.S. ambassador called the decision hard to justify.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no malicious intent and signaled Israel is preparing conditions to allow upcoming religious celebrations when it judges the area safe.
- Restrictions also canceled the Mount of Olives procession and thinned crowds at Al‑Aqsa during Ramadan and the Western Wall during Passover, with the Patriarch instead delivering a blessing at Gethsemane.