In brief
Israel has faced criticism after offering insincere condolences to Pope Francis, reflecting rifts exacerbated by his statements on the Gaza war.
In a surprising display of restraint, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences for the passing of Pope Francis four days posthumously. The initial condolence tweet posted from the official state account was quickly retracted, sparking controversy within Israel. The Israeli government is dispatching a modest delegation to the Pope's funeral, with only the Vatican ambassador in attendance, further underscoring tensions regarding the pontiff's outspoken remarks on the situation in Gaza.The Israeli Prime Minister's office, in a rather terse statement, conveyed, "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." This followed an initial, more heartfelt tribute, which included a photo of Pope Francis praying at the Western Wall, and concluded with "May his memory be a blessing." This message was deleted shortly after its posting, with no explanation provided. Reports from the Jerusalem Post indicated that officials described its posting as in "error."While the foreign ministry faces backlash for the deleted message, it is worth noting that Israel's ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman, did extend condolences in person. His participation in the funeral is in stark contrast to the representation from other global leaders, including US President Donald Trump. Notably, Israel's attendance stands in stark comparison to the elaborate delegation sent for the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, which featured the president and foreign minister of Israel.President Isaac Herzog did pay tribute to Pope Francis shortly after the news of his death, highlighting the Pope’s commitment to faith and compassion; however, it remains unclear if he will attend the funeral. The reason for his absence may relate to the timing of the funeral on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.The restrained response from the Israeli government is indicative of their dissatisfaction with the Pope's expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the Gaza conflict. Pope Francis has previously raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, labeling it "shameful," and has suggested that Israel's military actions could be scrutinized as potential genocide—accusations Israel staunchly denies. Furthermore, in his final public address on Easter Sunday, just before his death, the Pope underscored the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis. During the war, he maintained communication with Christians in Gaza, offering them a semblance of hope through his supportive expressions. Consequently, the Palestinian Authority is sending Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to attend the Pope's funeral, signifying the respect and esteem held for Francis among Palestinians, contrary to sentiments circulating within sections of Israeli society—especially among nationalist parties that form the backbone of Netanyahu's coalition. The current Israeli government's nuanced and strained relationship with the Vatican promises to be evident as they remain absent from the Pope's funeral proceedings.
