Israel Closes Holy Sepulchre Indefinitely for First Time

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has been closed since February 28. The Israeli regime announced that all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, would remain closed due to ongoing Israeli-American war against Iran.

On March 16, Joseph Hazboun, the regional director of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine office in Jerusalem, told CNewa.org that the decision was framed as a precaution against potential attacks.

On March 15, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas of the Custody of the Holy Land told VaticanNews.va that the church had never been closed for such an extended period despite past wars, tensions, and pandemics.

Church officials expect that Holy Week and Easter liturgies will be permitted to proceed with only clergy in attendance, similar to Covid-restrictions.

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