Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
The Israeli government’s handling of the passing of Pope Francis has drawn attention, marked by a delayed response and a perceived downgrade in representation at his funeral. Issues began when the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement of condolences for Pope Francis four days after his death, following the deletion of an earlier message. This came amid scrutiny of Israel’s relationship with the Vatican, particularly concerning the Pope’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Delayed Condolences and Deleted Tweet
- The Israeli prime minister’s office offered a two-sentence condolence message on Thursday night, stating: “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.”
- An initial, more cordial message, accompanied by a photo of Pope Francis at the Western Wall, was swiftly removed from the official @Israel account on X without any clarification provided.
Controversy Surrounding the Initial Message
- Israeli media outlets widely covered the deletion of the initial tweet, with the Jerusalem Post reporting that officials at the foreign ministry cited it as an “error.”
- Former Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schutz, reportedly described the decision to retract the message as a misstep.
Lower-Level Delegation to the Funeral
- Israel is sending a relatively low-level delegation to the Pope Francis funeral, represented by its Vatican ambassador, Yaron Sideman.
- This contrasts sharply with representation from other major nations, many of whom are sending heads of state or government. Notably absent is US President Donald Trump.
- In 2005, for the funeral of John Paul II, Israel dispatched then-President Moshe Katsav and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.
President Herzog’s Tribute
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog released a tribute to Pope Francis shortly after his death, recognizing him as a figure of profound faith and compassion.
- However, there are no plans for President Herzog to attend the ceremonies, which may be due to the funeral coinciding with Shabbat.
Perceived Displeasure Over Gaza Remarks
- It is widely believed that the Israeli government’s unease stems from Pope Francis’s expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, especially during the conflict in Gaza.
Pope Francis’s Comments on Gaza
- Last November, Pope Francis suggested the international community should consider whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza constituted genocide.
- Earlier this year, he described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “shameful.”
- In his final Easter address, he mentioned the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis.
- He maintained near-daily contact with the Christian community sheltering within a church in Gaza City during the war.
Palestinian Response
- Palestinians have lauded Pope Francis’s empathy, stating it gave them hope.
- The Palestinian Authority is sending Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to the funeral as a sign of respect.
Impact on Israeli Politics
- Some factions within Israel, particularly among religious and nationalist parties within Netanyahu’s coalition, feel that Pope Francis sided with Palestinians.
- This perceived rift could be evident by the absence of high-ranking Israeli officials during the funeral in Rome.