ISTANBUL

Several European leaders voiced concerns and in some cases condemnation after Israeli police prevented the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.

A statement issued by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said preventing Pizzaballa from entering the church "constitutes an offense not only to believers, but to every community that recognizes religious freedom."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also described the move as "unacceptable" and said he had instructed the Foreign Office "to summon the Israeli ambassador tomorrow to seek clarification regarding the decision."

"I condemn this decision by the Israeli police, which adds to the worrying increase in violations of the status of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on the US social media platform X.

He called for a "free exercise of worship" in Jerusalem to be guaranteed "for all religions."

"From the Government of Spain, we condemn this unjustified attack on religious freedom and demand that Israel respect the diversity of beliefs and international law. Because without tolerance, coexistence is impossible," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also underlined on X.

The Portuguese Foreign Ministry said the decision of the Israeli authorities "deserves deep condemnation," urging them “to guarantee and uphold freedom of religion and worship."

On X, Polish President Karol Nawrocki "strongly" objected to the move and voiced support for Cardinal Pizzaballa.

"The actions of the Israeli police, which I condemn, are an expression of disrespect for Christian tradition and culture," he stressed.

Malta's Foreign Minister Ian Borg also voiced deep concern over the Israeli police decision, saying: "Access to Christianity’s holiest site, especially for private Holy Week liturgy, must be respected. I urge Israeli authorities to reconsider and facilitate worship."

In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Pizzaballa, along with the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, was stopped while heading privately to the church and “compelled to turn back.”

The patriarchate said the incident marked the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest Christian sites.

As of last Friday, Israeli authorities also continue to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest mosque in Islam, for the fourth consecutive week, keeping the site closed since late February under emergency measures linked to the war with Iran.