Israel also faced backlash from European countries on Sunday for preventing Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating the traditional Palm Sunday mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. French, German, Italian and United States representatives and lawmakers had criticized Israel for the move.
Poland’s foreign ministry condemned on Monday what it described as Israeli police preventing Pizzaballa from entering the church and expressed hope that Easter celebrations would proceed without further restrictions.
While Israeli authorities said the priest was not granted access due to security reasons such as the risk of Iranian missile attacks, critics across Europe accused Israel of limiting freedom of religion. French President Emmanuel Macron said that free exercise of worship must be guaranteed to all.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Sunday night he had instructed authorities to grant Pizzaballa “immediate access” to the church. The Latin Patriarchate confirmed Monday that the issue had been resolved.
Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people in Israel, a large majority of whom were civilians, and taking 251 hostages. The attack prompted a major Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of them civilians, displaced 90 percent of Gaza’s population and destroyed wide areas. The ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump in October 2025 led to the release of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages.
Israel and the U.S. have since launched a war on Iran, which has roiled the Middle East again.