Several countries, including Jordan, France, Italy, and Spain, strongly condemned Israeli authorities for preventing the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and leading Palm Sunday mass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, noting that such an incident had not occurred “for centuries.” In a statement, the Patriarchate added that both the Patriarch and Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Patton, were prevented from accessing the church while heading to celebrate the Palm Sunday service.

Jordan

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the move, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem.

Official spokesperson Ambassador Sufian Qudah reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of Israeli measures restricting Christians’ access to places of worship, stressing the need to respect the legal and historical status of Jerusalem and its holy sites. He also emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, has no sovereignty over Jerusalem and must cease all actions that hinder worshippers from reaching their holy places.

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the incident, stating that it represents an offense not only to Christians but to any society that upholds religious freedom.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he had summoned the Israeli ambassador in Rome in protest over the move.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the decision as an “unjustified attack on religious freedom,” calling on Israel to respect religious diversity and international law, emphasizing that coexistence cannot exist without tolerance.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called the Israeli police decision, expressing full support for the Patriarch and warning that such actions add to “repeated and concerning violations” of the status of holy sites in Jerusalem.

European Union

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the incident, stressing that it constitutes a violation of freedom of religion and that full access to worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all faiths without exception.

United States

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the move was “difficult to understand or justify,” describing the prevention of the Patriarch and three other priests from entering the church as an unfortunate overreach with serious global implications.