The Israeli government posted and later removed a social media message expressing condolences for the death of Pope Francis, with no official explanation for the deletion.
However, Israeli media speculated that the move was linked to the pope’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.
The message was shared on April 21 through the verified @Israel account on the social media platform X, which read, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” accompanied by an image of the pope at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Officials from Israel’s foreign ministry clarified that the post was an “error,” explaining that the pope had made “statements against Israel.” Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, had raised concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza during his papacy.
Last November, he questioned whether Israel’s military operations in Gaza could be considered genocide against the Palestinian people. In January, he described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “shameful,” drawing criticism from Rome’s chief rabbi, who accused the pope of “selective indignation.” Israel has firmly rejected the accusations of genocide, maintaining that its military actions are targeted solely at Hamas and other militant groups.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on the pope’s death, President Isaac Herzog offered condolences, calling Pope Francis “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.” Over the years, the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community has improved, and Pope Francis was known for condemning antisemitism and maintaining dialogue with Gaza’s Christian community.
By Naila Huseynova
Source: caliber.az
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