Post Deleted Hours After Publication Amid Gaza Tensions
LONDON: Israel’s Foreign Ministry has come under fire after retracting a message of condolence posted on social media following the death of Pope Francis, citing it as an “error.”
The condolence message was initially shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) accounts of multiple Israeli embassies, stating: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” alongside an image of the pontiff at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
But just hours later, the ministry ordered the post’s removal and instructed ambassadors worldwide not to sign books of condolence at Vatican missions, according to Israeli media.
The about-face reportedly caused internal backlash, with several diplomats expressing concern over the potential diplomatic fallout, especially in predominantly Catholic countries.
Raphael Schutz, former Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, criticized the decision, saying, “I think the decision is a mistake. We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death.”
Reaction Tied to Gaza Criticism
While the Foreign Ministry claimed the post was shared “in error,” the retraction is widely viewed as a response to Pope Francis’ outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The pope, who died on Monday aged 88, had described the situation in Gaza as “dramatic and deplorable” and repeatedly called for a ceasefire. In November 2023, he condemned the Israeli campaign by saying, “This is not war; this is terrorism.”
That remark drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials and media. The Jerusalem Post ran an editorial accusing the pope of offering “unconditional support for Hamas.”
Muted Official Response
While President Isaac Herzog issued a statement mourning the pope’s death and praising him as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion,” other top Israeli leaders remained silent.
Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar publicly acknowledged the pontiff’s passing, a decision that drew criticism from Israeli commentators and members of the public.
In contrast, global leaders, including Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, issued formal condolences.
Funeral and Global Reaction
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, will be laid to rest in Rome on Saturday. World leaders from across continents are expected to attend the funeral. It remains unclear whether Israel will send an official delegation.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, reflected on the pope’s connection to the region, saying: “He was very close to the community of Gaza, the parish of Gaza.”
As global tributes continue to pour in, the Israeli government’s silence and retraction have become a talking point in international diplomatic circles.
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Categories: World News, Middle East Politics, Religion & Diplomacy
Tags: Pope Francis death, Israel Vatican relations, Gaza conflict criticism, Israeli diplomacy, Isaac Herzog Pope statement
