Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu announced today that Israel is creating a plan that will allow Christians to worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Iran war.
He mentioned that even today Cardinal Pizzaballa was prevented from worshiping there because of the dangers from Iran, but because this next week is Holy Week, they will make a plan to allow Christian leaders to worship there safely.
Here’s what he wrote:
The Prime Minister's Office:
Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles. In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 29, 2026
As a result, Israel has temporarily asked worshippers from all faiths not to worship at the holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City to protect them.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 29, 2026
Today, out of special concern for his safety, Jerusalem police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from holding mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Again, there was no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 29, 2026
However, given the holiness of the week leading up to Easter for the world’s Christians, Israel’s security arms are putting together a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 29, 2026