JERUSALEM — In a notable departure from his typical diplomatic alignment, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly questioned the security logic used to prevent Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While Israel has cited the threat of Iranian missile strikes as the reason for closing the Old City’s holy sites, Huckabee pointed out that the clergy’s presence did not violate existing safety protocols.
The “50-Person” Discrepancy
In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Huckabee highlighted a clear inconsistency in how Home Front Command guidelines were applied:
- The Regulation: Current emergency guidelines restrict gatherings to 50 people or fewer across Jerusalem.
- The Violation: Huckabee noted that the Patriarch was accompanied by only three other priests, bringing the total to four—well within the legal limit.
- Selective Enforcement: “Churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less,” Huckabee wrote. “For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify.“
“Major Global Repercussions”
Huckabee warned that the incident is “already having major repercussions around the world.” The fallout includes:
- Diplomatic Isolation: Italy has summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Rome, and French President Emmanuel Macron has officially condemned the “proliferation of violations.”
- Vatican Stance: Pope Leo XIV implicitly referenced the incident in his Palm Sunday homily, stating that God rejects the prayers of those with “hands full of blood.”
- Religious Friction: As a prominent Evangelical voice, Huckabee’s critique signals that even Israel’s most reliable religious base in the U.S. views the blocking of a high-ranking cleric during Holy Week as a step too far.
Israel’s Response: “Safety, Not Malice”
Following Huckabee’s statement and the broader international outcry, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released a clarification:
- The Motive: The PMO maintained there was “no malicious intent,” only a desire to protect the Patriarch from potential Iranian ballistic missile fragments, which have previously landed near the Church.
- The Path Forward: The office confirmed that security arms are “putting together a plan” to ensure church leaders can safely access the site for the remainder of Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday.
| Huckabee’s Statement Summary | Key Takeaway |
| Tone | Unusually critical; “Unfortunate overreach.” |
| Logic | Pointed out clergy were well under the 50-person limit. |
| Impact | Highlighted the “global repercussions” for Israel’s image. |
| Status | Urged immediate coordination for the rest of Holy Week. |
