• Israel deleted a social media post offering condolences for Pope Francis after criticism of its Gaza policies.
• Israeli diplomats express outrage over the removal, citing damage to Israel's image among Christians.
• The country's representation at the pope's funeral will be limited to its ambassador to the Vatican, signaling deteriorating relations.

The Israeli government drew significant attention when it shared and quickly deleted a post on social media offering condolences over Pope Francis' passing. The post, which stated, "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing," accompanied a photo of the pope at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The decision to retract the message was linked to the late pontiff's previous criticisms of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which some officials described as "statements against Israel," and insisted the post had been published in "error," according to Reuters and TRT Global.

Outrage ensued among international observers and Israeli diplomats alike, with some expressing that the deletion was offensive and could harm Israel's reputation within the Christian community. Reports reveal that several Israeli ambassadors voiced their concerns in internal discussions, citing a sense of "internal resentment" towards the handling of the situation. One diplomat noted, "We are deleting a simple, innocent tweet that expresses basic condolences," highlighting the contradiction between Israel's traditional diplomatic practices and recent decisions, according to Middle East Eye.

The situation further underscores the deterioration in Israeli-Vatican relations, particularly following the onset of the Gaza conflict in 2023. As a result of this decline, Israel's representation at Pope Francis' funeral in Vatican City will be notably low, with only its ambassador attending amidst a backdrop of international leaders arriving for the event. This choice is seen as a stark departure from the last papal funeral in 2005, where Israel had sent a presidential delegation, as highlighted by Reuters.

The backlash also touches upon broader feelings of isolation experienced by Israel, as highlighted by calls for a more diplomatic approach to the pope’s legacy. Some officials are expressing that these actions may reinforce the impression of isolation at a critical juncture in their public diplomacy. Former Israeli ambassador Raphael Schutz critically remarked on the need for respectful acknowledgment of a world religious leader, saying, "We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death," according to Middle East Eye.

Pope Francis, who was vocal about the suffering in Gaza, called for humanitarian considerations and even suggested that the international community should examine whether Israel's military campaign constituted genocide. His position has historically been at odds with Israeli government sentiments, placing the relationship under strain, especially in light of the recent conflict's toll on both sides, per Reuters and Reuters.