Washington Post, Citing Israeli Officials
Calls for Release of All Hostages and Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Strip
Pope Francis reportedly warned Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a private phone call last October not to "commit terrorism against the Gaza Strip."
The call took place on October 7, when Israel bombed the Gaza Strip following a surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and tanks were being deployed deep into Gaza City for a ground offensive.
On the 22nd of last month (local time), Pope Francis met with the families of Israeli hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. [Photo by Vatican]
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 30th of last month (local time), citing a senior Israeli official, that when President Herzog explained Israel's fear of Hamas's surprise attack to the Pope, the Pope brusquely responded, "Responding to terror with terror is forbidden."
President Herzog protested, repeatedly stating that "the Israeli government is doing what is necessary to protect its citizens in the Gaza Strip." However, the Pope continued to say, "Those responsible must be held accountable, but civilians should not."
Later, on the 22nd of last month, during the general audience held at St. Peter's Square, the Pope called the conflict between Israel and Hamas "not a war but terrorism beyond that," urging an end to the conflict.
Also, at an event held at the Vatican on the 29th of last month, he emphasized, "War leads to defeat on both sides," and "Everyone loses except defense companies that make huge profits from others' deaths. We call for peace."
On that day, just before the general audience, the Pope met with families of Israeli hostages abducted and held by Hamas and Palestinians with family in the Gaza Strip, listening to the pain of both sides and sharing in their sorrow.
Combining the previously undisclosed late-October phone call between the Pope and President Herzog with the Pope's remarks at the general audience on the 22nd of last month, Israel interprets that the Pope refers to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip as "acts of terrorism."
The Vatican acknowledged in a statement sent to the Washington Post, which requested confirmation of the Pope's remarks, that there was a phone call between the Pope and President Herzog. The spokesperson for the Israeli President's office stated, "We do not intend to comment on private conversations."
Following the revelation of the Pope's remarks, some Israelis expressed concern about the spread of anti-Semitism. According to the Washington Post, Milan's chief rabbi, Pedatzur Arviv, claimed, "What is happening now is a return to demonization of Jews."
On the 1st (local time), Israel resumed its attacks, and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip was attacked. [Photo by Reuters/Yonhap News]
Previously, Pope Francis visited Bethlehem in 2014 and prayed next to the West Bank separation barrier where the slogan "Free Palestine" was written.
Meanwhile, according to the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, the death toll has reached over 13,300 since Israel launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation against Hamas.
Israel also resumed the Gaza Strip war on the 1st (local time). This was seven days after a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian militant group Hamas on the 24th of last month, and 55 days since the outbreak of war. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared the resumption of combat against Hamas on that day, stating, "Hamas violated the (temporary) ceasefire agreement and fired toward Israeli territory."
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