This was the first time the Pope had urged for an investigation into allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza[GETTY]
Pope Francis has faced a public backlash following his call for an investigation into whether Israeli actions in Gaza meet the criteria for genocide.
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial team in an op-ed accused the Pope of “turning” on Israel, claiming his comments offer “aid and comfort to the enemies of the Jewish people and all civilised society” after he indicated that the harrowing assault on Gaza could amount to genocide – a view in line with genocide and legal experts.
Israeli officials and advocacy groups have also condemned the Pope’s remarks, employing inflammatory rhetoric to discredit his stance.
Yaron Sideman, the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, slammed the pontiff’s comments, claiming that Israel was “defending itself” on “seven different fronts”.
“Any attempt to call it by any other name is singling out the Jewish State,” Sidemen wrote on X.
The pro-Israeli group Combat Antisemitism Movement, which has been accused of politicising antisemitism, said the Pope’s statement looks like “a possible opening of an eighth front”.
“For a Pope who appears to prize even-handedness and peace, we see that the Jewish state once again appears to be the exception,” CEO of CAM Sacha Roytman said in a statement.
“It would behove Pope Francis to choose his words more carefully because they bring to mind a horrific and bloody history of Catholic religious leaders attacking Jews for the enjoyment of others in public at tribunals and Inquisitions where the Jew would always be found guilty regardless of the facts.”
John Fetterman, a senator who has been a vehement supporter of Israel’s war on Gaza, wrote on X that he had rejected “in the strongest terms” any investigation into Israel.
According to excerpts released on Sunday from an upcoming book, Pope Francis said what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide.
The book, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Toward a Better World, written by Hernán Reyes Alcaide, includes interviews with Francis.
While Pope Francis has spoken about Israel’s war on Gaza before, it marked the first time he had openly urged an investigation into allegations of genocide committed by Israel in Gaza.
“We should investigate carefully to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies,” he added.
The Pope called for a ceasefire and decried the deaths of children in Gaza by Israel in September, calling it “ugly”. He also called Israel’s attacks on a Gaza church as “terrorism”.
At least 17,400 children have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel’s war, which has devastated the territory.
Last year, Pop Francis also met relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinians living through Israel’s war.
