Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other major Christian sites were shut on Palm Sunday due to ongoing war with Iran. Israeli police cited security risks, including frequent missile attacks, for the closures. The Catholic Church criticized the move as unreasonable.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo were blocked from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Israeli authorities despite requests for a private Mass. President Isaac Herzog expressed regret over the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured efforts to reopen the site for Easter week prayers, acknowledging the importance of religious freedom during wartime.