In brief
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a belated condolences message with a notably subdued tone.
The article text:Israel has recently expressed its condolences for Pope Francis, who passed away four days ago, yet the official response has been notably muted, reflecting underlying tensions related to the conflict in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office offered a two-sentence statement of condolence on Thursday evening, which stated: "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." However, this muted response comes after an earlier, more heartfelt message posted on social media by the official Israeli account was swiftly deleted, igniting controversy domestically.The now-removed tweet featured a photograph of Pope Francis at the Western Wall and contained the expression, "May his memory be a blessing." Its deletion sparked debates, with some officials claiming it had been posted by mistake. Israeli media highlighted that the current Ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman, would represent Israel at the Pope's funeral, a stark contrast to the high-profile attendees expected from around the globe, including notable leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump.During the funeral of the previous pontiff, John Paul II, Israel showed more respect by sending its president and foreign minister to the proceedings. In comparison, no plans have emerged for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to attend, despite his earlier tribute, which praised Pope Francis’s deep faith and compassion. Analysts suggest that the scheduling of the funeral on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, may be a contributing factor. However, many believe that the Israeli government’s recent grievances related to the Pope's supportive stance toward Palestinians during the Gaza conflict have influenced its lukewarm response.Last year, Pope Francis raised serious concerns, suggesting that international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza should be considered as potential genocide—a statement Israel firmly refutes. He also expressed empathy for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His final public address on Easter included references to the suffering experienced by both Palestinians and Israelis. Reports have revealed Pope Francis maintained daily contact with the Christian community enduring hardships in Gaza throughout recent conflicts, offering hope and solidarity.This concern for the Palestinian people and staunch critiques of Israeli actions have led to perceptions among some Israeli politicians, particularly within Netanyahu's religious and nationalist coalition, that Pope Francis has unequivocally sided with Palestinians. As Pope Francis's funeral approaches in Rome, this festering discontent between rising Israeli government sentiment and the Vatican's position on the ongoing conflict seems poised to reveal itself, as notable absences may communicate a silent rift at the event.
