Israel Deletes Pope Condolences, Sparks Diplomatic Outrage

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted and then swiftly deleted condolence messages on official channels, instructing embassies worldwide to do the same and forbidding diplomats from signing condolence books. The decision, reportedly ordered by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, sparked rare outrage and frustration among Israeli diplomats, particularly those in predominantly Catholic countries, who warned the move could seriously damage Israel’s reputation. The deletion is widely interpreted as a response to Pope Francis’ increasingly vocal criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which had strained relations with the Israeli government. While President Isaac Herzog issued a statement of condolence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials remained silent. Many diplomats criticized the lack of explanation for the directive and expressed concern about the impact on Israel’s ties with the Holy See and the global Catholic community. The controversy highlights tensions between diplomatic protocol and political sensitivities surrounding Israel’s conduct in Gaza.