statement<\/span><\/a> issued March 29 by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, police stopped the two church leaders on their way as they were proceeding privately \u201cwithout any ceremonial or liturgical manifestations,\u201d and forced them to turn back.<\/p>\nThe statement noted that, for the first time in centuries, this action prevented church leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It described the incident as a \u201cserious and dangerous precedent,\u201d adding that it \u201cdisregards the sentiments of millions of believers around the world whose eyes turn to Jerusalem during this week.”<\/p>\n
Isaac Herzog, president of Israel, said in a statement on social media that he called Pizzaballa and lelpo to express sorrow over the incident. <\/p>\n
\u201cI clarified that the incident stemmed from security concerns due to the continuous threat of missile attacks from the Iranian terror regime against the civilian population in Israel, following previous incidents in which Iranian missiles fell in the area of the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days,\u201d Herzog wrote. \u201cI reaffirmed the State of Israel\u02bcs unwavering commitment to freedom of religion for all faiths and to upholding the status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike Huckabee, U.S. ambassador to Israel, expressed gratitude for Herzog\u02bcs \u201cconciliatory\u201d and \u201cgracious\u201d statement in a post on social media.<\/p>\n