In brief
In a surprising twist, Israel's reaction to Pope Francis's passing reveals deep-seated tensions with the Vatican linked to the Gaza crisis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a delayed, formal condolences statement, causing backlash in Israel. Notably, the heartfelt initial message shared on social media was quickly retracted, raising eyebrows about underlying discontent with the Pope’s strong stance on the Gaza situation. The state will only send a low-level delegation to the Pope’s funeral, leading many to speculate that these actions reflect Israel's displeasure with the Vatican's critical views on its military operations in Gaza.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office belatedly offered formal condolences for Pope Francis, four days after his death. This announcement followed controversy surrounding an earlier, warmer message that had been swiftly deleted from social media. The retracted statement, which featured a touching image of Pope Francis at the Western Wall, sparked criticisms about the current Israeli government's stance on the Vatican amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.Many believe that the Israeli administration's lukewarm reaction signals frustration over the Pope's public expressions of solidarity with Palestinians affected by the war. In stark contrast to past papal funerals—like that of Pope John Paul II, which saw significant Israeli representation—only Israel's ambassador to the Vatican will attend the funeral, highlighting a growing diplomatic rift. The situation has escalated further as Israeli officials and media suggest the government's anger stems from the Vatican's outspoken humanitarian critiques related to Gaza. Pope Francis had previously labeled the dire conditions in Gaza as “shameful,” and just a day before passing, he addressed the struggles faced by both Palestinians and Israelis. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority plans to honor the Pope by sending their Prime Minister to the funeral, illuminating the respect he garnered among Palestinians during his papacy. With clear divisions between Israeli officials and the Vatican looming, observers are keen to see whether this rift will be further underscored at the Pope's funeral in Rome.
