Amichai Chikli Accuses Pope Francis of Perpetuating “Dangerous Blood Libel” Against Israel

Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has publicly criticized Pope Francis, accusing him of perpetuating a “dangerous blood libel” against Israel and distorting history in his recent statements and actions. In a strongly worded letter sent on Thursday, Chikli addressed two controversial Vatican incidents that have raised tensions between Israel and the Catholic Church.

The main focus of Chikli’s letter was Pope Francis’ comments suggesting that allegations of genocide in Gaza “should be carefully investigated,” along with a controversial nativity display that depicted Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh, a symbol associated with Palestinian nationalism.

Chikli expressed his outrage over the nativity scene, calling it an endorsement of the Palestinian narrative, which he said distorts historical facts. “Two weeks ago, you took part in a display that echoes the Palestinian narrative, portraying Jesus as a Palestinian Arab,” Chikli wrote, adding that he would not have responded had this been a singular event. However, Chikli emphasized that the Pope’s recent insinuation that Israel “might be” committing genocide in Gaza was a more severe matter.

The Use of “Genocide” and Historical Distortion

Chikli criticized the use of the term “genocide,” noting the deep sensitivity Israel feels due to the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered. He warned that trivializing the term is dangerously close to Holocaust denial. “As a nation that lost six million of its sons and daughters in the Holocaust, we are especially sensitive to the trivialization of the term ‘genocide,’” Chikli stated.

In addition to the nativity display, Chikli condemned the Pope’s comments on Gaza, calling them a distortion of history. He pointed out that Bethlehem holds significant historical value in Jewish history, with key figures like King David and the matriarch Rachel connected to the city. “Jesus was born to a Jewish mother, lived as a Jew, and died as a Jew,” Chikli asserted. He further criticized the comparisons between Israel’s actions in Gaza and genocide, describing them as an effort to “rewrite history.”

Acknowledging Atrocities and Plea for Clarity

Chikli also addressed the October 7, 2024, Hamas attack on Israel, describing the atrocities committed as “savage” and highlighting the war crimes perpetrated by Hamas, including the massacre of Israeli families and the kidnapping of civilians. He warned against the dangerous distortion of these events, stating that comparing these acts to Israel’s military actions against Hamas was both misleading and harmful.

The letter ended with a plea for clarity, urging Pope Francis to clarify his position and stand against what Chikli described as a “blood libel against the Jewish state.” Chikli acknowledged the Pope’s past efforts to strengthen Jewish-Christian ties, such as his meetings with Jewish leaders and families of Israeli hostages, but stressed the importance of rejecting false accusations against Israel.

Chikli’s letter reflects a broader sense of growing tensions between Israel and the Vatican, particularly surrounding the narratives about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the historical legacy of Jewish-Christian relations. The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play as both Israel and the Vatican navigate the increasingly contentious political and religious landscape.