Pope Francis. Photo: svidomi.in.ua.
The Vatican has once again found itself at the centre of an international scandal due to statements made by Pope Francis that have provoked a strong reaction in the Jewish world. The movement against anti-Semitism regards his statements about the genocide allegedly taking place in Gaza as a threat to Israel, comparable to the opening of a new front against the Jewish state. This was reported by the TimeUkraineIsrael portal, citing Israeli Channel 7.
Criticism of Pope Francis’ statements
Recently, in published excerpts from Pope Francis’ new book, he stated that the events in Gaza have signs of genocide. These words caused outrage in the Anti-Semitism Movement, which believes that such comments could become an “eighth front” against Israel. “These remarks could lead to even more violence and the shedding of Jewish blood around the world,” said Sashko Roitman-Dratva, the movement’s director general.
According to Roitman-Dratva, Pope Francis, who has consistently promoted peace and impartiality, is sending a signal that the national homeland of the Jewish people is once again being targeted for unfair criticism. “We had hoped that after Nostra Aetate in 1965, the Catholic Church would recognise the Jewish people as equal among all nations, but these statements by the Pope show the opposite,” added Roitman-Dratva.
Historical memory and new conflicts
The Anti-Semitism Movement also noted that Pope Francis’ statements recall the dark history of the Catholic Church, when Jews were often targeted and persecuted during the Inquisitions. “The Pope should have chosen his words carefully, as they could be seen as a reincarnation of those terrible times when Catholic leaders attacked Jews in the name of religion,” said Roitman-Dratta.
Last year, the movement’s leaders met with representatives of the Vatican in Israel, during which they proposed holding seminars to combat anti-Semitism. However, these initiatives were never implemented.
Conclusions and implications
Pope Francis’s comments continue to divide opinion and spark serious debate among the international community. Allegations of possible genocide in Gaza and calls for an investigation may have not only political but also profound religious and cultural implications, as they touch on important aspects of historical memory and interreligious relations.
While the Pope continues to call for peace and dialogue, his words can become a catalyst for new conflicts. This once again underscores the importance of the choice of words by the leaders of the world’s religions, as their position can have an impact on global relations, as well as on security and stability in the region.
