Netanyahu Retracts Ban on "Palm Sunday" at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Under International Pressure.. Allowing Celebration with Security Restrictions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has retracted the decision to ban "Palm Sunday" celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, following a surge of international criticism that deemed the decision a clear violation of religious freedom.
The retraction came after increasing political and diplomatic pressures, prompting the Israeli government to reassess the situation at a sensitive time ahead of Easter.

The Israeli police, in coordination with the representative of the Latin Patriarch, announced the approval of the annual celebration and the passage of the traditional procession from the Mount of Olives, while imposing restrictions on the number of participants.
They confirmed that the decision came after a comprehensive security assessment, indicating that the restrictions aim to ensure the safety of worshippers, especially in areas where adequate protected infrastructure is lacking.

The initial step to ban the celebration sparked angry reactions on the international stage, with the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemning the decision and considering it a violation of religious freedoms.
Several international parties also expressed concern over the implications of these measures on the religious situation in Jerusalem, a city of particular sensitivity to followers of the Abrahamic faiths.

Reactions extended to the international arena, with the United States requesting official clarifications from the Israeli government regarding the incident.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the decision as an "offense to believers," while Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador in Rome, reflecting the level of diplomatic tension arising from the crisis.

The Israeli police had previously prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church to conduct the mass, in a precedent described by the Latin Patriarchate as "dangerous and unprecedented for centuries."
The churches confirmed that these measures hurt the feelings of millions of Christians around the world and undermine deeply rooted religious traditions in the holy city.

In the wake of the crisis, Netanyahu's office announced that security agencies are working on a special plan to allow church leaders to perform religious rituals during Easter week, but under exceptional arrangements and strict security restrictions.
These developments remain an indicator of the sensitivity of the situation in Jerusalem, where religious considerations intertwine with security and political calculations in a complex manner.