White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that the US intervened on Sunday after Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police upon attempting to enter and hold mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.
Following a statement on the incident by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Sunday evening that Pizzaballa would be given “full and immediate access” to the Church, the Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese asked Leavitt if this was a result of US intervention.
Leavitt confirmed that the Trump Administration “did express our concerns with Israel, with respect to these holy sites being shut down,” and that Israel will work to ensure worshipers can safely access the holy sites in Jerusalem.
WATCH:
Reese: Netanyahu said Sunday that Cardinal Pizzaballa will be able to hold services for Palm Sunday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after he was initially blocked by Israeli police. Did anyone from the administration or the President call over to Israeli officials to assist the Cardinal?
Leavitt: Yes, I did speak with Secretary Rubio this morning, and we did express our concerns with Israel, with respect to these holy sites being shut down. We want worshipers to be able to access these holy sites. Of course, safety is a top priority, but we understand Israel is working on those security measures to reopen the sites throughout Holy Week, and that’s something that we’re appreciative of.
As The Gateway Pundit reported yesterday, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo were barred from holding a Palm Sunday mass in Jerusalem.
This led to criticism from world leaders and the Catholic Church.
Several world leaders condemned the action and accused Israel of violating the religious freedom of Catholics. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as an “unfortunate overreach” which is “difficult to understand or justify.”
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem also said the move was a “hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations,” adding that it “represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness.”
The Prime Minister of Israel’s office, in a statement, defended the incident, writing, “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.” The statement continued, “There was no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party.”
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had instructed Israeli authorities to allow Cardinal Pizzaballa “immediate access” to the church following the backlash. He also said the measure was taken “out of special concern for his safety.”
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