Holy Week in the Middle East has begun amid deep concern and insecurity for Christian communities. International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expressed its alarm over events during Palm Sunday celebrations on March 29, 2026, in Jerusalem, Gaza, and Syria, where Christians marked the day under significant tension and restrictions.
Challenges to religious freedom during Holy Week in the Middle East
In Jerusalem, Israeli police prevented His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Local Church authorities described this as a serious limitation on freedom of worship in the Holy City. This occurred alongside the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives for security reasons.
Meanwhile, the Catholic parish in Gaza celebrated under particularly difficult conditions.
“There was a lot of gunfire along the yellow line [the military limit from the October 2025 ceasefire], and fragments of shrapnel landed on our roof”.
Although the church building bears visible marks of bombardments, the cross remains intact, serving as a powerful symbol on the eve of Easter.
Insecurity in Syria and resilience in Lebanon
In Syria, outdoor processions were cancelled in Damascus and Aleppo due to persistent insecurity and in solidarity with the town of Sqelbiyeh. Sqelbiyeh was attacked on the night of March 28; shops were looted, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed. Archbishop Joseph Tobji stated the decision to stay indoors was also a protest against the proliferation of arms outside official government control.
In contrast, Christian communities in southern Lebanon held their Palm Sunday processions despite ongoing conflict. Following numerous attacks—including the death of a Catholic priest—the faithful offered a courageous testimony of hope.
Regina Lynch, Executive President of ACN International, concluded:
“We call for effective respect for religious freedom and the status quo… so that the faithful may live their faith without obstacles, especially during these holy days”.
