Netanyahu orders immediate, unrestricted entry for Catholic leaders to Jerusalem's Church of All Nations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered authorities in East Jerusalem to grant full access without restrictions to the Latin Patriarchate after they were previously denied permission by Palestinian security forces on March 29th, a move that follows reports from multiple international news outlets including Al-Monitor and Ucanews confirming the initial blockade.
Key Points
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1Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered authorities granted immediate, unrestricted access for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to enter and leave the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
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2The decision follows a situation where police blocked Latin Patriarch's entry on Palm Sunday (March 29), prompting international condemnation before Israel intervened.
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3Netanyahu publicly stated he had instructed relevant authorities, marking an attempt by Jerusalem-based Catholic leadership to resume full access after the incident.
Developments
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered immediate access for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after police initially blocked him citing security concerns related to rocket debris. The incident prompted sharp international condemnation from leaders in Italy, Germany, Greece, and Spain as a violation of centuries-old traditions regarding freedom of worship during Easter Week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday a directive granting Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa "full and immediate access" to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre following police denial based on security concerns regarding recent Iranian missile strikes near Jerusalem's holy sites.