Rabbi Takes a Stand: Confronting Rising Antisemitism

Last week, a stern letter landed in the heart of the Vatican in Rome. The sender? None other than Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, one of Israel's veteran rabbis, and the recipient was the Pope himself.

This isn't Rabbi Weiss's first letter to the Vatican. As a senior member of the interfaith dialogue committee of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, he's engaged in numerous dialogues with religious leaders worldwide to resolve complex issues. "Over the past year, I've sensed the Pope showing one-sided support for the conflict in Gaza, without acknowledging that it's against an enemy that has cruelly attacked us," he says with emotion. "The Pope falsely complains about the army killing children during fights, but fails to mention that Hamas terrorists are the ones using children as human shields."

"The Pope also ignored the fact that during the conflict, Israel provides humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Hamas misappropriates for terror purposes. And yet, Israel continues to send support. These are dreadful issues we expect him to denounce, or at the very least, refrain from recklessly supporting the Gazan side."

"Legitimizing Antisemitism"

In his widely-discussed letter, Rabbi Weiss conveyed his message directly and assertively. "I did not attack the Pope personally, and of course, that was not my intention," the rabbi states. "I wrote what I needed to bring to his attention because, in the end, the Pope influences countries worldwide, and Israel, in some way, needs his support in the fight against antisemitism. The Vatican institution officially opposes antisemitism and condemns any hint of it, yet in this current situation, it hasn't happened."

Do you blame him for that?

"I certainly blame the Pope. Even without addressing his false statements endorsing Hamas, the mere fact that we didn't receive support from him indicates unfairness. He should publicly denounce the horrific massacres carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. He should protest the fact that hospitals in Gaza have turned into terror hubs. If he had done that, things might have been different."

"Regarding his false statements, it's possible they're not his personal views. Perhaps they're the views of clergy surrounding him, whispering antisemitic messages, which the Pope then publicly voices, thinking he's doing the right thing. Still, he must thoroughly verify the credibility of the messages he receives before publicly speaking them."

How significant is his influence on Christians worldwide?

"He has many followers, and additionally, he serves as a role model. There is no doubt that the rising antisemitism in the Middle East gets legitimization from him, and anti-Israel activists also fall into antisemitism as a result of his statements."

"One must understand this: If, in the Middle Ages, the Pope's words remained within the Vatican's walls, today, through media channels, his words are broadcast worldwide. The more exposure his words get, the more cautious he must be in his expressions."

Beware of Hypocrisy

Pope Francis's current views are not just expressed in his offensive remarks towards the IDF and Israel, but also in direct assistance to Hamas, as Gazan churches under his leadership were converted into terror bases. "Many churches spread across Gaza operate under the Pope's guidance, and during the war, they've become Hamas terror nests. The Pope's followers in Gaza play a wide role in the massacres and brutal killings carried out against our fighters in the region."

Rabbi Weiss's assertive letter did not remain within the Vatican. It was leaked to international media, translated into English, and published in popular newspapers across Italy. "I hope that making this letter public will echo its message around the world," says the rabbi. "Perhaps this exposure will lead to a change in the Pope's conduct."

Weren't you afraid this might harm the Vatican's diplomatic relations with Israel?

"No. I did what every Jew is obligated to do, and certainly every rabbi in Israel: protest. I'll tell you more: Opinions among rabbis in the committee were divided. Some believed we should cut all ties with the Vatican institution and the Pope," reveals Rabbi Weiss.

Did you receive his response to the letter?

"The initial response stated that the letter was forwarded to the Pope and the issues raised will receive an answer soon. A few days ago, a Vatican representative in Israel flew to Italy to consult with him on the matter and get his response. The Pope's behavior certainly warrants an appropriate response."

Sheikhs Against Terror

Before the outbreak of the conflict, Rabbi Weiss and the interfaith dialogue committee members had frequent meetings with the Pope and other Christian leaders. "In these meetings, we don’t delve into theological or spiritual topics but discuss global issues shared across all religions. For instance, the last conference in Hiroshima, Japan, focused on the dangers of AI."

During his global journeys, Rabbi Weiss participated in an interfaith conference in Uzbekistan with the chief rabbis of Israel, where he sat alongside an imam for a personal dialogue. "It was one of the most interesting sessions," he shares.

Since the war started, have you met with Muslim religious leaders in Israel?

"Yes. They attended every meeting because they oppose what’s happening. They don’t represent the extremist Islamic factions, so they're willing to sit and talk even in such complex times."

Do they explicitly oppose terror?

"Of course. The truth is that most hold official state positions, making it their duty to reject any support for terror acts. But it might genuinely reflect their true views. At the war’s onset, we went together to witness the horrors in southern Israeli communities, and then convened for a dialogue in Rahat."

Finally, Rabbi, what is your goal?

"We're trying to find ways to reduce tension between religions. There’s no doubt these are important and necessary actions, and we hope to witness the complete redemption soon, which will resolve everything."