Israel has blamed Iran for the blockade of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, a situation which prevented Christian leaders and worshippers from observing Palm Sunday.
The government announced that President Isaac Herzog spoke with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to express regret over the episode.
Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Holy Land’s Custos, Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, were among those shut out from the fourth-century parish, also known as the Church of the Resurrection.
Herzog noted that the “unfortunate” event arose from “the continuous threat of missile attacks from the Iranian terror regime against the civilian population in Israel.”
The President said the security of civilians was prioritized following incidents of Iranian missiles hitting the area of the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days.
Promising enhanced future coordination with the Latin Patriarch, he reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to freedom of religion for all faiths and to upholding the status quo of the holy sites.
In another statement on Monday, Herzog hailed the understanding reached between Police commanders and Cardinal Pizzaballa at a meeting on arrangements for Easter prayers in Jerusalem.
The President extended his wishes for the upcoming Easter holiday to the Latin Patriarch, Christians in the Holy Land, and to Christians in the Middle East and around the world.
The blockade of the Church sparked outrage and strong criticisms by European leaders, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
