Hours after the dying of Pope Francis, Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted a message on X, providing condolences: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” However, the put up was deleted inside hours with out clarification.
The removing highlighted the continued tensions between Israel and the Vatican, which have intensified attributable to Francis’ outspoken criticism of Israeli actions throughout the Gaza struggle.
While the world mourned the pope’s passing, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar remained silent, with solely President Isaac Herzog providing official condolences, praising Francis for his “deep faith and boundless compassion.”
This marked a stark distinction to Netanyahu’s common fast reactions to the deaths of worldwide figures.
Israel’s strained relationship with the Vatican, which had warmed throughout Francis’ papacy, has cooled considerably for the reason that struggle in Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023.
Francis had expressed sorrow for Israeli victims however condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them “immoral” and disproportionate.
His stance included questioning whether or not Israel’s actions constituted genocide – a declare Israel has strongly denied.
Throughout the battle, Francis balanced sympathy for each Israeli victims and Palestinian casualties, strolling a wonderful line between his relationship with Israel and his dedication to justice.
He was particularly near Gaza’s native parish priest, additionally Argentine, deepening his connection to the Palestinian trigger.
“Pope Francis condemned what happened on Oct. 7, but he was clear that it did not justify the actions that followed,” mentioned Wadie Abunassar, head of the Christian group representing Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel’s relationship with the Vatican has been traditionally fragile, rooted in tensions relationship again to World War II when critics accused Pope Pius XII of failing to talk out in opposition to the Holocaust.
Despite these points, relations thawed within the Sixties, and in 1993, the Vatican and Israel established formal diplomatic ties.
However, the latest rightward shift in Israel’s authorities and the continued battle with Gaza have strained these ties.
Francis’ stance on Gaza, which he maintained constantly, was one in all a deep dedication to peace and mercy.
“War is defeat, there’s no victory for war,” mentioned Father David Neuhaus, a priest and former spokesperson for Francis throughout his 2014 go to.
Francis’ requires an finish to violence and his assembly with households of hostages held in Gaza emphasised his unwavering plea for peace, regardless of Israel’s use of army power.
Although Israeli officers have kept away from attending the pope’s funeral, sending solely their ambassador, Israel insists this choice is because of logistical constraints, together with the Sabbath. “We are taking part in the funeral in the most official way,” mentioned Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein.
Abunassar, upset by the Israeli authorities’s lack of formal condolences, remarked, “The man was the leader of the most important church in the world. He deserves respect.”
He expressed disappointment that the federal government didn’t acknowledge Francis’ pivotal function in international peace and interfaith dialogue.
In distinction, lots of gathered in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher for a requiem mass, honoring Francis’ legacy of interfaith unity.
The mass additionally celebrated Francis’ groundbreaking relationship with Orthodox Christianity, significantly his 2014 assembly with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, which marked a historic step in therapeutic centuries of division.
Source: www.dailysabah.com