AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Israeli occupation authorities for preventing the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass.

 

The ministry described the move, in a statement on Sunday, as a “flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as a breach of the longstanding legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem.”

 

It also said the action infringes on the right to unrestricted access to places of worship.

 

Ministry Spokesperson Fouad Majali reiterated Jordan’s firm rejection of the “illegal and restrictive measures” targeting Christians, including preventing them from freely reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform religious rites.

 

He stressed the need to respect the established legal and historical status quo governing Jerusalem and its holy sites, adding that Israel, as an occupying power, holds no sovereignty over the city.

 

He called for an “immediate” halt to all measures that obstruct worshippers’ access to their places of worship.

 

Majali also condemned the continued closure of the gates of the Al Aqsa Mosque/ Al Haram AlSharif, to worshippers, describing it as a serious violation of international law and Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

 

He urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to end violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, respect their historical and legal status, and support the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent and sovereign state based on a two-state solution.

 

Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement carried by AFP.

 

"This morning, the Israeli Police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, together with the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as they made their way to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass," a statement from the Patriarchate said.

 

It said the two were stopped while proceeding privately without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and had to turn back.

 

"As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," the statement said.

 

"This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world, who during this week, look to Jerusalem."

 

Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for Christians, marks Christ's final entry into Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion and resurrection, according to the Gospels.