PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Christians in Palestine - 16 April 2026 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Marsha De Cordova, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Kate Osamor
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Marsha De Cordova
The Second Church Estates Commissioner
The Church remains steadfast in its support for Palestinians. The Bishops of Southwark, Gloucester, Chelmsford and Norwich have publicly highlighted their concerns by condemning the increased settler violence and calling for the reopening of holy places. They have joined His Holiness the Pope and the local heads of Churches, who have called for the protection of innocent civilians. They are offering sanctuary, working for peace and reconciliation, and building intercommunity trust.
10:13:52
Kate Osamor
I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. For the first time in centuries, Catholic leaders were prohibited from entering the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate a private mass on Palm Sunday. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem called this a
“manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
In the light of this incident, what concrete steps will the Church take to ensure that Christians and other religious groups are able to worship freely in Jerusalem?
“manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
In the light of this incident, what concrete steps will the Church take to ensure that Christians and other religious groups are able to worship freely in Jerusalem?
Marsha De Cordova
The closure of the Holy Sepulchre by the Israeli Government was totally unacceptable. It was an unprecedented step, and representations by all Churches were made at the highest level. The treatment of pilgrims and worshippers by the Israel Defence Forces, and the additional movement restrictions across both western and Orthodox Easter, were deplorable, particularly in what is the holiest of weeks.
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