On October 6, marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, gave an interview with the Vatican media. The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See responded with a harsh message on X:
«The recent interview with Cardinal Parolin, though surely well-intentioned, risks undermining efforts to both end the war in Gaza and counter rising antisemitism. It focuses on criticizing Israel while overlooking Hamas’ continued refusal to release hostages or stop the violence. Most concerning is the problematic use of moral equivalence where it does not belong. For example, the application of the term “massacre” to both Hamas’ genocidal October 7th attack and Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense. There is no moral equivalence between a democratic state protecting its citizens and a terrorist organization intent on killing them. We hope that future statements will reflect this important distinction».
During a press conference held in Rome on October 10, Cardinal Parolin addressed the Israeli Embassy’s statement. He emphasized that the interview aimed to promote peace and stated that «there is no moral equivalence between the two situations».
In fact, Parolin’s interview content seems very different from the statements released by the Israeli Embassy. Regarding October 7, 2023, the Vatican Secretary of State said that «the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other militias against thousands of Israelis and resident migrants, many of whom were civilians, who were about to celebrate Simchat Torah at the end of the Sukkot festival, was inhuman and unjustifiable. The brutal violence perpetrated against children, women, young people, and the elderly cannot be justified. It was an unworthy and, I repeat, inhumane massacre».
Addressing the current situation in Gaza and the State of Israel’s response, Parolin noted that «the situation in Gaza is now more serious and tragic than a year ago, following a devastating war that claimed tens of thousands of lives. It is necessary to recover a sense of reason, abandon the blind logic of hatred and revenge, and reject violence as a solution. Those who are attacked have the right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality […] I am struck and saddened by the daily death toll in Palestine—dozens, sometimes even hundreds a day—many of whom are children whose only fault seems to be that they were born there. We risk becoming accustomed to this carnage».
The issue of hostages was also present and central in the interview with Parolin: «The Holy See immediately condemned the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, calling right away for the release of the hostages and expressing solidarity with the families affected by the attack. I am deeply struck and saddened by images of the hostages, some of whom have been released, held captive in tunnels and starved. We cannot and must not forget them.”
He also took a clear stance, condemning the anti-Semitic episodes that have occurred over the past two years. «They are a sad and equally unjustified consequence. We live on fake news and the simplification of reality. This leads those who consume these narratives to blame Jews for what is happening in Gaza today. We know this is not the case. There are many voices of strong dissent rising up in the Jewish world against the current Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the rest of Palestine. We see the public testimony of the hostages’ families. Anti-Semitism is a cancer that must be fought and eradicated. We need men and women of goodwill, educators who help us understand and above all distinguish. We cannot forget the Shoah in the heart of Europe; we must commit all our strength to ensuring this evil does not rise again».
In the interview, Cardinal Parolin referred to the plan presented by US President Trump and said that any peace project «that involves the Palestinian people in decisions about their future, allows this slaughter to end, frees the hostages, and stops the daily killing of hundreds of people is to be welcomed and supported». This is the primacy of diplomacy that characterizes the mission of the Holy See. «The Holy See, sometimes misunderstood, continues to call for peace, invite dialogue, and use the words negotiation and talks. It does so on the basis of profound realism: the alternative to diplomacy is perpetual war, the abyss of hatred, and the self-destruction of the world».
On October 10, commenting on the signing of the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, the Vatican Secretary of State said, on behalf of the Holy See: “We too join in this general satisfaction and express the hope that this is indeed the first step on the path to lasting and definitive peace». Parolin then pointed out that even with the agreement signed, there is still a need for diplomatic effort on the part of all those involved because «there are points that need to be implemented, and probably no perfect agreement exists between the two sides».
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led by Cardinal Pizzaballa, will play an important role in implementing the agreement. During these two years of war, and more intensely in the last six months, the Patriarchate has acted in concert with the Vatican Secretariat of State and the Pope.
Overall we find quite difficult to understand the reasons of the Embassy’s reaction to Cardinal Parolin’s words. The agreement signed today could open a new phase in relations between Israel and the Palestinian people — precisely in the name of lasting and definitive peace. In addition to the commitment of those who made the agreement possible and the primacy of diplomacy, a «new leadership» may be necessary on both sides, as Cardinal Pizzaballa said today.
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