In brief
Israel's muted condolences for Pope Francis, marked by the withdrawal of an earlier warmer message, signal a possible rift between the Israeli government and the Vatican due to the Pope's outspoken views on the Gaza conflict. Only the Vatican ambassador is attending the funeral, contrasting with participation from many world leaders.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed its condolences for Pope Francis four days after his death; however, the response has sent ripples of controversy throughout the nation. Initially, an affectionate tribute shared on social media was promptly deleted, leading to speculation about the Israeli government's discontent with the Pope's outspoken support for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.On Thursday evening, the prime minister's office issued a formal, yet brief statement expressing sorrow over the Pope's passing, while the previous message had conveyed a warmer sentiment alongside a photograph of Pope Francis at Jerusalem's Western Wall. The absence of familiarity in the follow-up message has taken many by surprise, raising eyebrows among citizens and commentators alike.According to Israeli media reports, the original message was removed due to claims from the foreign ministry labeling it a posting error, a stance criticized by former Israeli Ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schutz, who deemed the deletion a misstep. Yaron Sideman, the current ambassador to the Vatican, is designated to represent Israel at the Pope's funeral, though this is a stark contrast to the attendance from heads of state from numerous countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden.President Isaac Herzog's emotional tribute to the Pope shortly after his death stands in contrast to the government's muted formal response. No indications have surfaced of Herzog attending the funeral, which might be influenced by the fact it falls on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.The cooling relationship can largely be attributed to Pope Francis's frequent calls for compassion and equality regarding the Palestinian suffering amid the intensified conflict. Specifically, the Pope had recently urged for international recognition of the gravity of Israel’s military actions towards Gaza, which he had previously described in dire terms. His sermons have repeatedly highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people, culminating in a heartfelt connection with them during the escalation of violence.Conversely, various members of Israel's political coalition have expressed discontent, perceiving the Pope’s remarks as favoritism towards Palestinians, although he sought to maintain dialogue and compassion for all affected parties.Given the circumstances, it is anticipated that Israel’s absence from the funeral of Pope Francis may reflect the ongoing strains between Jerusalem and the Vatican, with diplomatic relations potentially entering a new, less amicable phase.
