It is the first time that Pope Francis has used the term 'genocide' in public to speak of Gaza. He has done so in a book written on the occasion of the Jubilee. These are not his literal words, but rather the Pope is referring to what certain experts consider.
What is happening in Gaza, which according to some experts seems to have the characteristics of genocide, should be carefully investigated to determine whether it falls within the technical definition held by jurists and international organizations.
The reaction of the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See was not long in coming. They point out that October 7 was indeed a genocidal massacre and add that Israel is exercising self-defense.
Last year there was controversy with a similar situation. During the Pope's meeting with a group of Palestinians, it was said that he had used the word genocide when talking about Gaza.
SHIREEN HILAL
Two uncles killed in attacks in Gaza
Ten of us were there, and we heard it. But I want you to understand one important thing. There is always a definition behind the word. And if our definition with the genocide is different than the Pope's definition of the genocide, then we understand and then we agree. But as the idiom like the definition word genocide, yes, it was used. And we have ten people here that confirm it.
For its part, the Vatican did not confirm that the Pope had used that word.
TR: JD
