RCA Expresses Concern Regarding Pope Francis’s Recent Statements Regarding Investigation Into Israeli Genocide

November 29, 2024 – The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of Orthodox rabbis throughout North America, expresses its deep concern over the recent statements by Pope Francis suggesting that claims Israel may be engaged in genocide need to be investigated. 

Rabbi Zvi Engel, president of the RCA, stated, “The RCA regrets that Pope Francis has added his voice to the libelous charge that Israel may be guilty of genocide in its actions in Gaza. In fact, Israel is engaging in a defensive war against the terrorist organization Hamas which has stated as its goal the elimination of the State of Israel. Israel is fighting Hamas, not the Palestinian people. The Israel Defense Forces exerts great effort to warn civilians of forthcoming attacks and to provide safe havens and humanitarian aid. The unintended loss of innocent life is always tragic, but this does not constitute genocide. Tarring Israel with the brush of genocide is a modern-day blood libel.”

Rabbi Menachem Penner, Executive Vice President of the RCA, stated, “The claim of genocide only frustrates achieving a cessation of hostilities. This war can end when the remaining 101 Israeli hostages kidnapped and attacked on October 7, 2023, are set free, and when innocent Israelis can return to their homes and live in safety and security. The international community needs to pressure Hamas to stop using Palestinian civilians as disposable pawns.”

Please also see the statement made by the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC), of which the RCA is a member.