White House Criticizes Israel for Blocking Patriarch's Entry to Church of Holy Sepulchre

The White House criticized Israel after Israeli authorities prevented a patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites located in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli officials justified the action by citing security measures as the reason for blocking the religious leader's access to the basilica. The incident has drawn diplomatic attention, with the United States expressing concern over restrictions on religious access at the sacred site, which is traditionally shared by multiple Christian denominations and attracts pilgrims from around the world.