The Trump administration has officially registered its displeasure with the Israeli government after the Catholic Church’s top leader in the Holy Land was barred from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at Jerusalem’s most sacred Christian site.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Monday that the U.S. government intervened following reports that Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The incident occurred during Holy Week at the site traditionally revered as the location of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Leavitt told reporters that the administration held direct talks with Israeli officials to address the lack of access to these religious landmarks.
During a briefing, Leavitt noted that she coordinated with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to express these concerns. She emphasized that while the U.S. prioritizes safety, the administration expects worshippers to have access to holy sites.
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Leavitt added that the White House is appreciative of ongoing efforts by Israel to finalize security measures that would allow the sites to reopen as the week progresses.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been closed since February 28, following the outbreak of conflict with Iran.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry previously stated that the closure was a necessary safety precaution after fragments of an Iranian missile landed on the site. In a statement posted to social media, the ministry accused the Iranian regime of intentionally targeting sites sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews alike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation on Sunday evening, clarifying that the initial restrictions were part of a broad request for members of all faiths to temporarily abstain from visiting Jerusalem’s Old City for their own protection.
Netanyahu admitted that Cardinal Pizzaballa was specifically asked to refrain from holding Mass due to immediate safety concerns.
However, the Prime Minister stated that once he became aware of the specific incident involving the Cardinal, he personally intervened. Netanyahu confirmed he has since instructed authorities to allow the Patriarch to hold services at the church as he sees fit, regardless of the standing security restrictions.
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