Pope Francis has sparked a diplomatic row with Israel after condemning the killing of Palestinian children in Gaza, accusing the country of committing acts of “cruelty”. The pontiff’s remarks have drawn criticism from Israeli officials, who say he is ignoring the country’s security concerns.
The Vatican summoned Israel’s ambassador to Jerusalem this week, sparking outrage over Pope Francis’ strong words. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein accused the pope of ignoring the broader context of Israel’s military actions, which have resulted in the killing of 17,000 children.
Pope Francis has maintained a critical stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for an end to all wars and urging his followers to remember those suffering. The Vatican has also condemned the global arms industry for profiting from human suffering.
The Pope’s comments come amid a deepening rift between the Vatican and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of promoting an agenda. The relationship has deteriorated in recent months, with previous criticisms by Vatican officials sparking backlashes from Israeli authorities.
Israel faces charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and human rights organisations have published evidence detailing ethnic cleansing and war crimes committed by the Israeli army. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is also pursuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s war on Gaza.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-lashes-out-pope-francis-condemning-killing-children