Israel halts worship at Jerusalem holy sites amid Iranian missile threats

Lifestyle, Middle East

MIDDLE EAST, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has issued a temporary directive asking worshippers of all faiths to refrain from visiting holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, citing urgent security concerns.

According to a statement on Sunday, Iran has repeatedly targeted sacred sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism with ballistic missiles in recent days. In one incident, missile fragments landed just meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, underscoring the severity of the threat.

Authorities stressed that the suspension of worship is purely precautionary. On Sunday morning, Jerusalem police prevented Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, explaining that the decision was made out of concern for his safety and that of his entourage.

The government acknowledged the sensitivity of the directive, particularly during the holy week leading up to Easter for Christians worldwide. Security agencies are now working on a plan to enable church leaders and worshippers to safely access the holy sites in the coming days, balancing religious obligations with public safety.

Officials reiterated that the measure is temporary and aimed at protecting lives, while assuring that Israel remains committed to safeguarding the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy places for all faiths.