Ambassador Huckabee Criticizes Israel's Decision To Bar Catholic Clergy From Holy Sepulchre

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee chastised the Israeli government for barring Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other senior clerics from worshipping in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, saying the ban is “difficult to understand or justify.” Commenting on X, Ambassador Huckabee wrote, “to deny Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and three other priests from entering the Church to offer a blessing on Palm Sunday is an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world.”

“Home Front Command Guidelines restrict any gatherings to 50 people or less,” he continued. “The four representatives of the Catholic Church were well below that restriction. Statements from the Gov’t of Israel indicate the action to prohibit Cardinal Pizzaballa entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was for safety reasons, but churches, synagogues and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less.”

“For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify. Israel has indicated it will work with the Patriarch to accommodate a safe means of carrying out Holy Week activities.” Earlier on Sunday, the Patriarch and the Custos of the Holy Places released a statement expressing their sorrow over the incident, adding that it sets a "grave precedent." The guidelines imposed by Israel's Home Front Command apply to all religions and only permit assemblies of up to 50 people if there is a nearby bomb shelter readily accessible. It is not clear that there is such a bomb shelter near the Holy Sepulchre. Israel continues to endure missile attacks from Iran and Yemen. Some missles have hit close to the Holy Sepulchre since the U.S.-led war on Iran started two weeks ago.