VATICAN CITY — An Israeli government minister criticised Pope Francis on Friday (Dec 20) for suggesting the international community should study whether Israel's military offensive in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people.
Israel's Minister of Social Equality and Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli speaks during a rally organised by the Spanish far-right Vox party ahead of the European elections, with various far-right leaders including Argentina's president Javier Milei, in Madrid, Spain on May 19, 2024.
"As a people who lost six million of its sons and daughters in the Holocaust, we are particularly sensitive to the trivialisation of the term 'genocide' — a trivialisation that comes dangerously close to Holocaust denial," Chikli wrote. The pope, as leader of the 1.4 billion-member Roman Catholic Church, is usually careful about taking sides in conflicts, but has recently been more outspoken about Israel's military campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"We should investigate carefully to assess whether this fits into the technical definition formulated by international jurists and organisations," the pope said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israeli forces carry out air, ground attacks in Gaza; dozens deadCAIRO — Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 53 Palestinians, including a journalist and rescue workers, medics said, and the Israeli military said its air and ground forces in the north of the enclave killed dozens of militants and captured others.
Read more »
Israeli troops carry out air, ground attacks in GazaCAIRO: Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 Palestinians, including a journalist and rescue workers, medics said on Sunday (Dec 15), and the Israeli military said troops carried out air and ground attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, killing dozens of militants while capturing others.
Read more »
Al Jazeera condemns killing of journalist in Israeli strike on GazaDOHA: Qatar-based Al Jazeera condemned the Sunday (Dec 15) killing of one of its journalists in an Israeli strike on Gaza, calling the death a "targeted killing" in a statement. He is the fifth
Read more »
Israeli forces carry out air, ground attacks in Gaza; dozens deadCAIRO: Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 53 Palestinians, including a journalist and rescue workers, medics said, and the Israeli military said its air and ground forces in the north of the enclave killed dozens of militants and captured others.
Read more »
Trump and Netanyahu discuss Gaza hostages and Syria, Israeli PM saysJERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump about developments in Syria and a recent push to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, he said on Sun
Read more »
US-brokered Talks Aim to End Gaza War as Israeli Strikes Kill 20 PalestiniansThe United States, alongside Arab mediators, is attempting to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the 14-month conflict in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian officials report progress in negotiations, but Israel has presented conditions that Hamas rejects. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 Palestinians in various locations across Gaza.
Read more »