Netanyahu's Office: The denial of access to the Christian patriarch was related to security measures.
The decision to deny Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was related to security measures amid the conflict with Iran and did not imply any malicious intent. This was stated by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Today, for security reasons, the Jerusalem police did not allow Pizzaballa into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the morning mass. Again, there was no malicious intent, only concern for his safety," the office noted.
The office also added that they are aware of the holiness of the current week for Catholics, who will celebrate Easter on April 5. Representatives of the Israeli Prime Minister added that security services are developing security measures.
It was previously reported that Israel denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custodian of the Holy Land Francesco Patton, marking the first such incident by local authorities in several hundred years. Specifically, the clergy were heading to the church to celebrate Palm Sunday — a Christian holiday commemorating the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem, which is observed exactly one week before Easter. In Russia, it is celebrated as Palm Sunday.
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