In brief
The Israeli government’s delayed and subdued condolences following Pope Francis's death highlight growing tensions, particularly over his remarks concerning Gaza. While Israel offers minimal representation at the funeral, critics point to the government's dissatisfaction with the Pope’s calls for compassion toward Palestinians as a significant factor.
In the wake of Pope Francis's death, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has issued a second-rate statement of condolence four days later, igniting controversy regarding the state’s stance on the late pontiff’s views. The initial expression of sympathy posted on social media was hastily deleted, signaling Israel's discomfort with the Pope's support for Palestinians during the ongoing Gaza war.The official condolence message, which appeared late Thursday, merely states, "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," and lacks the warmth of their earlier, retracted post. This initial post noted a photo of Pope Francis at Jerusalem's Western Wall, concluding with "May his memory be a blessing," only to be removed with no explanation despite the backlash it caused.Reports suggest this withdrawal stemmed from it being deemed inappropriate by foreign ministry officials. Israel’s former ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schutz, highlighted that the deletion was indeed a misstep. Meanwhile, Yaron Sideman, Israel's ambassador to the Vatican, will represent the state at the funeral, in stark contrast to heads of state from other nations such as President Donald Trump.Despite a dignified tribute from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who praised the Pope for his deep faith and compassion, the absence of his attendance at the funeral—likely due to it coinciding with Shabbat—further underscores the strained relations. Israel's reluctance to engage with the Vatican regarding the Pope’s remarks on the Gaza conflict, including suggestions of genocide and humanitarian critiques, has fueled perceptions within the Israeli government that the Pope favored Palestinian solidarity.Pope Francis's final public address acknowledged the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis, but he was known to maintain daily communications with Gaza's beleaguered Christian community during the conflict, offering them a glimmer of hope. Consequently, the Palestinian Authority has decided to send Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to the funeral, highlighting the contrasting sentiments towards the Pope's legacy between Israel and Palestinian leadership.As these developments unfurl, the absence of prominent Israeli figures at the funeral may reflect the invisible rift between the current administration and the Vatican, further complicating the narrative of interfaith dialogue and humanitarian discourse in the region.
