Israel Summons Vatican’s Envoy over Pope’s ‘Cruelty’ Remarks on Gaza Genocide

Pope Francis revealed a nativity with Baby Jesus draped successful a Palestinian keffiyeh. (Design: Palestine Chronicle)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

“Yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty, this is not war. I privation to accidental it due to the fact that it touches my heart.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Vatican’s ambassador for talks pursuing Pope Francis’ caller remarks criticizing the bombing of children successful Gaza arsenic an enactment of “cruelty,” according to an Israeli media report.

The gathering with Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, held connected Tuesday astatine the Foreign Ministry successful Jerusalem, was “not classified arsenic a reprimand,” the Israeli quality website Ynet reported.

Israel summons Vatican Ambassador to the occupied Palestinian territories Adolfo Tito Camacho Yllana aft Pope Francis criticizes Gaza genocide.pic.twitter.com/njzzVeIElt

— PalMedia (@PalBint) December 26, 2024

However, the study added, Foreign Ministry Director General Eyal Bar-Tal “expressed Israel’s beardown displeasure with the Pope’s comments.”

‘This is Not War’

Pope Francis connected Saturday condemned an Israeli airstrike successful bluish Gaza which killed 10 members of a family, including 7 children.

“Yesterday they did not let the Patriarch (of Jerusalem) into Gaza arsenic promised. Yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty, this is not war,” helium told members of the Holy See’s government, adding, “I privation to accidental it due to the fact that it touches my heart.”

‘Cruelty, Not War’ – Pope Francis Slams Bombing of Gaza Children

Ynet reported that the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein stated successful response: “Cruelty is erstwhile terrorists fell down children portion trying to termination Israeli children. Cruelty is holding 100 hostages for 442 days, including infants and children, and abusing them.”

He went connected to assertion that “the pope chose to disregard each of this, arsenic good arsenic the information that Israel’s actions were directed astatine terrorists who utilized children arsenic quality shields.”

Consistent Criticism

Since the escalation of the Israeli warfare connected Gaza connected October 7, 2023, the Pope has consistently called for “peace.” In caller weeks, however, helium has adopted a firmer stance against the Israeli offensive.

At the extremity of November, the Pope stated that “the invader’s arrogance… prevails implicit dialogue” successful “Palestine,” marking a uncommon deviation from the Holy See’s contented of neutrality.

Baby Jesus with a Keffiyeh – A Historic Nativity Scene astatine the Vatican

In excerpts from a forthcoming publication published successful November, helium suggested a “careful” introspection of whether the concern successful Gaza “corresponds to the method definition” of genocide, a assertion powerfully denied by Israeli authorities.

The Holy See, which recognized the State of Palestine successful 2013, maintains diplomatic relations with it and continues to advocator for a two-state solution.

Ongoing Genocide

The Israeli genocide successful the Gaza Strip continues with the decease toll among starved and besieged Palestinian civilians rising daily.

Currently connected proceedings earlier the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide against Palestinians, Israel has been waging a devastating warfare connected Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The infinitesimal a marked property conveyance was targeted by Israeli concern forces successful cardinal Gaza, sidesplitting 5 Palestinian journalists from Al-Quds Today tv transmission portion they were dormant inside. pic.twitter.com/q6F93q2A9Q

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) December 26, 2024

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 45,361 Palestinians have, to date, been killed, and 107,803 wounded. Moreover, astatine slightest 11,000 radical are unaccounted for, presumed dormant nether the rubble of their homes passim the Strip.

Israel says that 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation connected October 7. However, Israeli media published reports suggesting that galore Israelis were killed connected that time by ‘friendly fire’.

Women and Children

Palestinian and planetary organizations accidental that the bulk of those killed and wounded are women and children.

Despite each the horrifying numbers included successful this video by PalestinianPr1ncess, a new, arsenic disturbing class emerged today, that of Gaza babies freezing to death.

For each numbers and information, delight sojourn https://t.co/SbcmLbgEY7 pic.twitter.com/2S4aJCtxtJ

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) December 26, 2024

The Israeli warfare has resulted successful an acute famine resulting successful the decease of galore Palestinians, mostly children.

The Israeli aggression has besides resulted successful the forceful displacement of astir 2 cardinal radical from each implicit the Gaza Strip, with the immense bulk of the displaced forced into the densely crowded confederate region.

(The Palestine Chronicle)