The Israeli government’s response to Pope Francis’ death has been controversial. Even as the world lost a global religious leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office took four days to send its condolences. When released, the statement was terse: “The State of Israel offers its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and to the Catholic community throughout the world upon the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace.”
Deleted Post Raise Questions
Compounding the controversy was a previous condolence post on Israel’s official X account, which was deleted without comment. The first post featured a picture of Pope Francis at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, ending with “May his memory be a blessing.” Officials later told the Jerusalem Post that the deletion was due to an ‘error’.
Unlike most countries represented by their heads of state or top leaders, Israel will have its Vatican ambassador, Yaron Sideman, attend the funeral alone. The minimal representation is further an indicator of the tension, with world leaders convening in Rome to pay their respects to the deceased pope.
Israel’s criticism affected the reactions
Pope Francis had condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, asking the international community to question whether they constituted genocide. He frequently expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as ‘shameful’. In his last Easter message, he referred to the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis.
Tensions Over Palestinian Solidarity
While Pope Francis worked towards multi-faith dialogue and expressed sympathy for Israelis, some within Israel’s ruling religious-nationalist coalition felt he sided too much with Palestinians. In contrast, the Palestinian Authority, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, has shown deep respect, with Mustafa attending the funeral. Palestinians remember the Pope warmly, recalling how he frequently contacted Gaza’s Christian community during the conflict.
Absence Reflects Diplomatic Strain
Though Israeli President Isaac Herzog released a sincere obituary, labeling Pope Francis ‘a man of abiding faith and unlimited compassion’, there are no arrangements for him or other senior Israeli leaders to travel to the funeral. Their not going is perceived as an expression of Israel’s frustration with the late Pope’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian war.
