Ntuthuzelo Nene5 April 2026 | 10:35

Archbishop Makgoba 'deeply distressed' by Israeli police actions in Jerusalem

Makgoba made these remarks during his Easter vigil at the Cathedral Church of St. George in Cape Town on Saturday night.

Archbishop Makgoba 'deeply distressed' by Israeli police actions in Jerusalem

South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. Picture: Cindy Archillies/EWN

The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has said he is deeply distressed by events in Jerusalem last week, where Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Makgoba made these remarks during his Easter vigil at the Cathedral Church of St. George in Cape Town on Saturday night.

He said that the actions of the Israeli police stopped the Patriarch from leading Palm Sunday Mass.

His comments come as tensions remain high amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The Archbishop condemned the move, describing it as a violation of the right to worship...

"Many in the faith community are interpreting the Israeli restrictions and especially those on access to Al-Aqsa on Eid as punishment for the Muslims and Christian communities whose homes are in Jerusalem and the West Bank," said Makgoba.