EU Chief Criticizes Israel for Barring Latin Patriarch from Jerusalem Church on Palm Sunday

In a recent development that has drawn international attention, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, criticized Israel for barring the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from attending Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Kallas described this action as a “violation of religious freedom,” emphasizing the importance of unrestricted access to worship for all faiths in Jerusalem. She highlighted the city’s multi-religious character and the necessity of protecting it.

The incident involved Israeli police preventing Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that Pizzaballa, along with the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, was stopped while on their way to the church and forced to return. This event marks the first time in centuries that church leaders were barred from celebrating Palm Sunday at this significant Christian site.

In addition to this incident, Israeli authorities have continued to prevent Muslims from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for Friday prayers. This restriction has been in place for the fourth consecutive week, with the mosque remaining closed since late February under emergency measures related to tensions with Iran.

The EU’s call for ensuring freedom of worship in Jerusalem without exception underscores the global concern for maintaining peace and respect among different religious communities. As tensions persist, the international community continues to advocate for solutions that uphold justice and protect the rights of all faiths, reflecting the biblical principle of being “peacemakers” as found in Matthew 5:9.

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