Israel Palestinians Palm Sunday

Jerusalem’s holiest places sit empty as missile fire disrupts Passover and Easter. On Monday, families brace for the holidays as the Iran war enters its fifth week. Stores in the Old City stay shuttered. Plazas and alleyways feel deserted. Israeli rules cap gatherings at 50 people, so the Western Wall is closed to worshipers. A key Passover blessing will go ahead with only a small group. Churches also scaled back. The Latin Patriarchate canceled the Palm Sunday procession. It said police even block top leaders from Mass at the Holy Sepulcher.

Israeli police have blocked top Catholic leaders from entering Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a private Palm Sunday Mass. The U.S., France, and Italy condemned the decision. On Sunday, the church stayed closed under Iran war security rules after missiles hit the city. The Latin Patriarchate called the move unreasonable and says it harmed freedom of worship. Police cited safety risks in the Old City and poor access for emergency vehicles. Church officials say they have held small private Masses since late February. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would try to partially open the church in the coming days.