After a long silence, Benyamin Netanyahu finally presents the condolences of Israel to the Catholic Church – Liberation

A reaction as sober as they are late. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu finally presented the condolences of the State of Israel to the Catholic Church for The death of Pope Francis In a post published on X. “The State of Israel expresses its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community around the world for the death of Pope Francis. That it rests in peace ”, wrote the head of government Thursday, April 24, in the evening in a message in English on the office of the Prime Minister’s office.

The death of Pope Francis only provoked rare reactions in Israel, where President Isaac Herzog was initially the only official to present condolences. The head of state had been one of the first dignitaries in the world to react on Monday at the death of the Pope, greeting « A man of deep faith and endless compassion ».

The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry Gideon Sa’ar, had also also published a message on X with the mention « That he rests in peace », But he then quickly removed it. This silence has embarrassed Israeli diplomats stationed in countries with a large Catholic majority, according to the information site Ynet.

Relations between the Holy See and the Hebrew State deteriorated after the unprecedented attack in Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023 and The Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. The sovereign pontiff was generally perceived in Israel as Pro-Palestinian. Until the eve of his death, Pope Francis has multiplied critical positions on War in Gazawhich irritated the Israeli authorities. In his Easter message on Sundayhe was still pointing the « Dramatic humanitarian situation » of the territory.

« Israel must not send a representative » At the funeral of Pope Francis, estimated on X the former Israeli ambassador to Italy, Dror Eydar. In an article published in the free daily life Israel Hayomthe latter says that the deceased pope « Was largely responsible for the rise in anti-Semitism in the world since October 7 ». The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, confirmed on Wednesday to AFP that Israel would be well represented at the funeral by its ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman.