30th March 2026- Yesterday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was denied entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Israeli Forces whilst trying to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, in an egregious example of religious persecution of the Christian faith in Palestine. Cardinal Pizzaballa is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, meaning he is Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered the holiest site in Christianity. Many Christians, including Roman Catholics, believe that the Church houses both Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and the Edicule, where he was buried.
Palm Sunday is also a significant moveable feast within Christianity, taking place the week before Easter Sunday. Israeli Forces prevented the entry of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, and the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
In any instance, the denial of entry of the official custodian of the holy site is a flagrant act of religious persecution, mirroring the infringements on the authority of the Jerusalem Waqf, the custodians of Al-Aqsa. However, it is even more egregious that such an act of persecution would be carried out on such a holy day in the Christian faith. Again, this increasing escalation of religious persecution during moveable feast days in Lent mirrors the increased persecution of Palestinian Muslims by during Ramadan and Eid.
Whilst Israel has cited the ‘security situation’ for the reason for punitive administrative measures directed towards worship, it has permitted Jewish Purim celebrations to take place elsewhere in the city. Israeli media has reported intoxicated, young people dancing in the street in costumes, surrounding a vehicle blaring music, to mark Purim. Despite this, targeting of Palestinian Christians and Muslims continues.
Following international outcry, including criticism from France and Italy, Israel has relented and will now allow ‘full and immediate access’ to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, it is totally unacceptable that Israel recklessly targets and undermines the custodians of religious sites in Jerusalem, and continues to persecute Palestinian Christians and Muslims seeking to practice their respective faiths. An insincere apology after international outcry does nothing to undo Israel’s systematic targeting of churches and Christian worship in Jerusalem and across Palestine.
ICJP’s Head of Public Affairs and Communications Jonathan Purcell said:
“This kind of religious persecution towards Christians and Muslims by Israeli authorities is a total affront to religious freedom, but it is nothing new. Last year, I was spat at in Jerusalem for wearing a crucifix the day before Palm Sunday, and denied entry to Via Dolorosa on Good Friday. Of course, this is a drop in the ocean compared to the daily lived reality of religious apartheid for Palestinian Christians and Muslims.
Even so, it has reached a whole new level with the denial of access of senior religious figures to holy sites. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest site in Christianity, and Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. Israel’s religious apartheid is completely incompatible with the moral and legal imperative of tolerance and respect for different faiths.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- Read ICJP’s recent report on religious persecution of Palestinian Muslims here.
- For more information, or to arrange an interview with an ICJP spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].
Photo Credit: Jorge Láscar from Australia via Wikimedia Commons
