Netanyahu retreats and orders allowing Latin Patriarch to enter Church of the Holy Sepulchre after being prevented for hours

The head of the Israeli occupation government, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that immediate instructions had been issued to the security and relevant authorities to allow Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, full and unconditional entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem. This decision came after hours of tension and procrastination that prevented the Catholic religious authority from accessing the holy site, which sparked a wave of widespread criticism.

Netanyahu claimed in his statements that the previous measures that prevented the mass from being held on time were not due to bad intentions, but rather he claimed they were a result of security concerns and worry for the cardinal's safety in light of the current conditions in the holy city. The occupation authorities tried to justify this restriction as a precautionary measure, despite the categorical ecclesiastical and diplomatic rejection of these arguments, which were considered an infringement on freedom of worship.

Sources confirmed that Netanyahu stressed the need to enable the Patriarch to perform all religious rituals specific to 'Palm Sunday' in the manner he deems appropriate, thus overriding the security recommendations that imposed restrictions earlier in the day. The occupation seeks through this sudden retreat to contain the repercussions of the escalating diplomatic crisis with the Vatican and Western countries that condemned preventing senior clerics from accessing their holy sites.

These developments come at a sensitive time for the occupied city of Jerusalem, where the occupation authorities impose strict restrictions on the access of worshippers and pilgrims to holy sites during religious holidays. Observers considered Netanyahu's latest decision an attempt to avoid international political repercussions that could increase his government's isolation, especially after the news of preventing the Patriarch made headlines in international newspapers and caused widespread resentment in ecclesiastical circles.

Instructions were given to enable the Latin Patriarch to perform the religious rituals of Palm Sunday as he deems appropriate.