Pope Francis’ call for an investigation into allegations that a genocide may be occurring in Gaza has drawn criticism.
In an excerpt from a new book published ahead of the Jubilee Year 2025 and released on Sunday, Pope Francis noted that, according to some experts, “what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide” and called for a careful investigation, according to Vatican News.
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
Hernán Reyes Alcaide’s book is titled Hope never disappoints. Pilgrims towards a better world and was written on the occasion of the Jubilee of 2025, which will begin on Christmas Eve. It includes interviews with Pope Francis and will be released on November 19 in Italy, Spain and Latin America by Edizioni Piemme Publishers. It will be published in other languages at a later date.
Pope Francis states in the book that “According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organizations.”
“In the Middle East, where the open doors of nations like Jordan or Lebanon continue to be salvation for millions of people fleeing conflicts in the area: I think above all of those who leave Gaza in the midst of the famine that plagues their brothers. Palestinians faced with the difficulty of delivering food and aid to their territory,” continues Pope Francis.
Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See rejected the claim.
Sideman’s boy responded to the Pope’s comments on social network
“On October 7, 2023, a genocidal massacre of Israeli citizens occurred and, since then, Israel has exercised its right to self-defense against attempts by seven different fronts to kill its citizens,” said Sideman. “Any attempt to call it by any other name is to point fingers at the Jewish state.”
In a press release On November 18, the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM), a global coalition fighting anti-Semitism, also criticized the Pope’s comments, calling them “an eighth front” in the war against Israel.
“The State of Israel is currently facing a war of intentional annihilation on seven fronts, and these statements seem to indicate the possible opening of an eighth front, from none other than the Vatican, which may also lead to the shedding of Jewish blood throughout the world.” world”, said Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM. “For a Pope who seems to value impartiality and peace, we see that the Jewish state appears to be once again the exception.”
In December 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice for alleged violations of the Genocide Convention, according to Reuters. The court has not yet ruled on the charges.
A Special Committee of the United Nations published on November 14 a report in which he stated that “Israel’s war in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of a genocide, with massive civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.”
“Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that deprive Palestinians of the goods most necessary for life: food, water and fuel,” the committee stated. “These statements, along with the systematic and illegal interference with humanitarian aid, make clear Israel’s intention to instrumentalize vital supplies for political and military gain.”
Pope Francis met on November 14 with several hostages recently freed from months of captivity in Gaza. Sixteen people attended the meeting last Thursday. One of the attendees, a boy, gave the Pope a soccer jersey with the name “Tal Shoham,” the name of a family member who was taken hostage along with his wife, children, mother-in-law and other relatives. Vatican News reported.
On October 7, 2023, 1,200 people were killed after Islamic terrorists they will attack Israel, taking 252 people hostage. According to ReutersPalestinian health authorities say more than 41,500 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Kate Quinones
Kate Quiñones is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and a member of College Fix. He has publications in the Wall Street Journal, the Denver Catholic Register and CatholicVote. He graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.