Historic Closure of Holy Sites Amid US-Israel War With Iran Leaves Palestinian Christians in the Shadows
For the first time in generations, the heavy iron doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre remain bolted shut as Holy Week approaches, marking a chilling turning point for the indigenous Christian population of the Holy Land.
In Jerusalem, Holy Week is observed twice due to the city’s diverse Christian population following different liturgical calendars. In 2026, these observances fall back-to-back, creating a prolonged period of high tension and spiritual significance. From March 9-April 5, Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican Christians hold their observances, while Greek Orthodox, Coptic, and Armenian believers observe Holy Week from April 5-12.
While the Israeli government cites “security concerns” amid a widening war with Iran, for the Palestinian and Arab Christian communities in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, the move is seen as the latest — and most severe — chapter in what some view as a systematic campaign of displacement and religious erasure.
The total shutdown of the Old City’s holy core, which includes the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, has effectively criminalized public worship during the most sacred season of the liturgical calendar. For a community that has maintained a continuous presence for two millennia, the silence of the bells is a deafening indictment of the current political landscape.
An Unprecedented Closure Over the Old City
According to reports from CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was locked on February 28, 2026, and remains inaccessible to the public. The United States and Israel first launched joint attacks against Iran on February 28 in what the Trump administration calls “Operation Epic Fury.” Israeli authorities have framed the closure of the holy site as a necessary precaution following missile barrages, including a strike that reportedly landed near the Old City walls on March 14.
While Israeli authorities maintain that the prohibitive measures are interfaith — Western Wall and Al-Aqsa Mosque movements have also been restricted — the impact on the Christian Status Quo, a 19th-century agreement governing holy sites, is profound. Critics argue that using “security” as a blanket justification allows for a total suspension of religious rights that disproportionately targets the Palestinian identity of East Jerusalem.
The plight in Jerusalem is a reflection of the total catastrophe facing Christians in the Gaza Strip. The historic Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church and the Holy Family Catholic Church have become the final refuges for a dwindling community. Reports from Aid to the Church in Need highlight that many Palestinian Christians feel “it is time to leave” as they face a dual threat of military bombardment and a total blockade on humanitarian aid.
Amid escalation by Israeli forces since 2025, Christian institutions in Gaza have faced near-total isolation. Human Rights Watch has documented the destruction of 97% of Gaza’s schools, many of which were Christian-run.
Beyond the walls of Jerusalem, the West Bank’s Christian towns — such as Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Taybeh — are being choked by a combination of Israeli settler violence and military checkpoints. Israeli settlers, reportedly often protected by the military, have recently been accused of using sexual violence against Palestinians.
Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, noted that even residents of the Old City have been prevented from leaving their homes during significant religious evenings.
- Checkpoints: Reportedly over 100 barriers now isolate Bethlehem from Jerusalem, preventing West Bank Christians from reaching the Holy Sepulchre for Lent.
- Economic Warfare: The revocation of work permits has left 40% of Christian school staff in Jerusalem without livelihoods, as reported by George Akroush of the Latin Patriarchate.
- Settler Attacks: Historic Christian villages like Birzeit and Al-Taybeh have faced systematic raids by settlers, often under the protection of Israeli forces.
For some observers, current developments amid the war are more than just a security update; they represent a targeted assault on the indigenous Christians of the Holy Land. When the Israeli Foreign Ministry tweets that “protecting lives… comes first,” Palestinian Christians ask whose lives are being protected and at what cost to their cultural and religious heritage.
Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.
