Israel Bars Latin Patriarch from Palm Sunday Mass at Church of Holy Sepulchre; EU Condemns

Israel barred the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on March 29, citing a nationwide ban on large public gatherings under emergency protocols linked to ongoing Iranian missile strikes. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the decision as 'a violation of religious freedom,' stating it was the first time in modern history that the Latin Patriarch had been prevented from conducting Palm Sunday services at Christianity's holiest site. The incident occurred on the same day as the second consecutive Friday closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — drawing simultaneous condemnation from Muslim and Christian religious leaders. The Israeli closure of major religious sites during the Iran war has intensified criticism from European governments and human rights organizations about the cumulative erosion of religious freedom in Jerusalem.