JERUSALEM (VINnews) — U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Sunday praised Israeli President Isaac Herzog for what he described as a “conciliatory and gracious” response following an incident in which senior Catholic clergy were temporarily prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City.

The episode occurred during Palm Sunday observances, when Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other clergy were blocked from accessing the church for prayers amid heightened security measures in the city. The restrictions prompted criticism from Christian leaders, who said the access limitations disrupted a major religious observance.

I'm grateful for the conciliatory & gracious statement by President @Isaac_Herzog regarding the unfortunate Palm Sunday incident at Church of Holy Sepulcher. https://t.co/NMR1B2dFNx

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026

Herzog later contacted Pizzaballa to express regret over the incident and said it was driven by security concerns linked to ongoing regional tensions, including Iranian missile threats targeting Israel in recent days. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to freedom of religion and maintaining the long-standing status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

In a post on X, Huckabee said he welcomed Herzog’s clarification and response, describing it as an important effort to reduce tensions following what he called an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Israeli officials said the decision to restrict access was made by security authorities based on risk assessments in an environment of elevated alert. They cited concerns about potential missile strikes, crowd safety, and limited evacuation capacity in the densely populated Old City.

Officials also noted that restrictions during periods of conflict have affected multiple religious sites, including the Western Wall, where access has at times been limited to small, controlled groups under emergency guidelines.

My statement re Prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of entering Church of Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday:
While all Holy sites in the Old City are closed due to safety concerns for mass gatherings including the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Al Aqsa Mosque, the action…

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026

The Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, has periodically been subject to security closures or limitations during periods of heightened conflict, including missile alerts and wartime emergency protocols. Authorities say such steps are intended to protect worshippers and manage crowd safety in areas with limited shelter infrastructure.

Christian leaders in Jerusalem said they continue to seek assurances that access to holy sites will be preserved even during emergencies, warning that restrictions risk damaging interfaith trust in a city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar and typically brings large processions and gatherings across Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City, where multiple faith communities live and worship in close proximity.