Israel Backtracks After Blocking Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem
Was this a justifiable move in the context of the war or was it an attack on freedom of religion?
Above: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday in Jerusalem on March 29, 2026. Image credit: Ammar Awad/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Given that Iran has been launching ballistic missiles at Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, Israel placed restrictions on religious congregations for their own safety. However, once Israeli leadership learned that a private congregation had been stopped, authorities took immediate action to remedy the situation.
Anti-Israel narrative
This was the first time in centuries that the Palm Sunday mass could not be marked at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Not only is this deeply offensive to worshippers, but to all those who believe in freedom of religion. Israel made a huge misstep in preventing the service from taking place.
