Photo credit: www.bbc.com
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended its condolences following the passing of Pope Francis, a gesture that comes four days after the Pope’s death.
An earlier message of sympathy from the official Israel account on social media was retracted, sparking significant discussion and controversy within the nation.
Israel will be represented at the Pope’s funeral by a relatively low-ranking delegation, primarily consisting of the country’s ambassador to the Vatican.
This response has been interpreted both within Israel and internationally as indicative of the government’s dissatisfaction with Pope Francis’s vocal stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Late on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s office issued a brief and formal statement expressing condolences: “The State of Israel expresses its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community worldwide at the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace.”
In contrast, the original condolence message tweeted by the verified @Israel account on the day of the Pope’s death included a warmer sentiment, featuring a photograph of Pope Francis at the Western Wall and concluding with, “May his memory be a blessing.” This tweet was taken down shortly after publication without any clarification.
Media outlets in Israel reported on the deletion, with the Jerusalem Post citing foreign ministry officials who explained that it had been posted by mistake. The former ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schutz, criticized the decision to withdraw the message, labeling it an error.
In response to the criticism, Israeli representatives noted that the current ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman, had conveyed condolences personally.
Sideman will represent Israel at the funeral, a notable difference from the attendance of heads of state from various other countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
This also contrasts sharply with the response to the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, when Israel sent both its president and foreign minister to the ceremony.
President Isaac Herzog did release a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis shortly after his death, recognizing him as a figure of profound faith and kindness. However, there are no indications that he will attend the funeral, a decision that could be influenced by the funeral coinciding with Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.
Tensions between the Israeli government and Pope Francis may have been exacerbated by the Pope’s outspoken sentiments regarding the plight of Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza. Last November, he asserted that the international community should consider whether Israel’s military actions could be characterized as genocide, an accusation that Israel firmly rejects.
Earlier this year, he described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “shameful.” In his last public address on Easter Sunday, he again referenced Gaza, highlighting the suffering experienced by both Palestinians and Israelis.
Since his passing, reports have emerged indicating that Pope Francis regularly communicated with the small Christian community seeking refuge in Gaza during the conflict, providing them with a sense of hope through his messages of empathy.
In recognition of his impact, the Palestinian Authority has decided to send Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to the funeral, underscoring the respect they held for the late Pope.
This context has led some in Israel, particularly among right-wing and religious factions supporting Netanyahu, to view Pope Francis as having taken a pro-Palestinian stance, despite his efforts to support interfaith dialogue and express compassion towards Israelis.
As Pope Francis’s funeral approaches, the absence of high-ranking Israeli officials may highlight the ongoing rift between the Israeli government and the Vatican.
Source
www.bbc.com