Pope Francis Labels Israel's Gaza Operation as a Terrorist Action
Pope Francis advocates for peace in the Middle East, privately urging restraint from Israel
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In a confidential conversation during the late October conflict in Gaza, Pope Francis cautioned Israeli President Isaac Herzog against responding to terror with terror, according to a senior Israeli official. The call, previously undisclosed, unfolded as bombs and tanks intensified the situation in Gaza.
The Pope's stance became evident during his Nov. 22 general audience in St. Peter's Square, where he declared that the conflict had transcended war and entered the realm of terrorism. This statement, coupled with the unpublicized call, implied the Pope's characterization of Israel's campaign in Gaza as an act of terrorism.
Israeli President Herzog defended his nation's actions, emphasizing the necessity to protect its people. However, Pope Francis insisted that accountability should target those directly responsible, not civilians.
The Pope's public remarks triggered backlash from pro-Israel groups, including the American Jewish Committee, reigniting historical tensions between some Jewish leaders and the Vatican. Critics argue that the Pope has disproportionately focused on Gaza's plight, a claim Vatican officials deny.
On Nov. 22, preceding his terrorism comment, Pope Francis met emotionally with Palestinian families who had lost relatives and with families of hostages taken by Hamas. Attendees reported the Pope shedding tears and, according to some, using the term "genocide" in English, describing the dire circumstances in Gaza. A Vatican spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the use of the term "genocide."
The Pope's critics highlight his alleged imbalance in addressing the Israeli and Palestinian losses, expressing concerns over perceived antisemitic comments from Egypt's Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, a figure with whom Pope Francis had cultivated warm relations.
While Israeli officials have refrained from publicly denouncing the Pope, the private call and subsequent remarks have fueled a heated debate over the Pope's stance on the Gaza conflict.
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