Israeli Embassy accuses Vatican of ‘criticizing Israel’ but ‘overlooking’ Hamas’ guilt
Israel’s Embassy to the Holy See published a statement Oct. 7 accusing the Vatican of potentially “undermining” peace efforts in Gaza by “criticizing Israel” and not focusing enough on Hamas’ refusal to release hostages.
Turning Point USA (TPUSA) spokesman Andrew Kolvet on Oct. 7 confirmed that a screenshot circulating online accurately depicts text messages Charlie Kirk sent regarding what he described as pressure from Jewish donors that left him “no choice but to leave the pro Israel cause.”
The screenshot was first released by commentator Candace Owens in an Oct. 6 YouTube video. Owens, a former associate of Kirk’s TPUSA, said the messages were sent two days before Kirk’s assassination. She added that Josh Hammer, author of “Israel and Civilization,” and Rob McCoy, known as Kirk’s longtime pastor, were among the nine members of the group chat.
In the texts, Kirk said a donor had withdrawn a $2 million annual pledge to TPUSA after he refused to disinvite Tucker Carlson — who has been sharply critical of Israel — from an event. Kirk wrote that he would not be “bullied” and the dispute was pushing him to abandon the “pro-Israel cause.”
“Just lost another huge Jewish donor,” Kirk wrote in the group chat. “$2 million a year because we won’t cancel Tucker. I’m thinking of inviting Candace.”
“Jewish donors play into all the stereotypes,” he added in another message. “I cannot and will not be bullied like this.”
He concluded, “Leaving me no choice but to leave the pro Israel cause.”
Kolvet said on “The Charlie Kirk Show” that the image shared by Owens was a screenshot he had taken and shared with “a few people in government” after Kirk’s death to ensure “no stone [was] unturned” in the investigation.
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… pic.twitter.com/CVmDRVSkbf
— Israel in HolySee (@IsraelinHolySee) October 7, 2025
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director for the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, reported that Pope Leo had been asked about the embassy’s accusation against his secretary of state, and replied simply: “The cardinal expressed the Holy See's opinion very well.”
The Israeli Embassy issued a statement against Cardinal Parolin for yesterday's interview, saying that it risks undermining peace efforts. When asked about this, Pope Leo said: “The cardinal expressed the Holy See's opinion very well. pic.twitter.com/neaAuB9vvf
— Andrea Tornielli (@Tornielli) October 7, 2025
In addition, the Pope later made his own remarks along similar lines to those of Cardinal Parolin, as reported by Vatican News. “These have been two very painful years,” he said to journalists at the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo in the afternoon of Oct. 7. “Two years ago, 1,200 people were killed in a terrorist attack. We must think about how much hatred exists in the world and begin to ask ourselves what we can do. In two years, around 67,000 Palestinians have been killed. We must reduce hatred, we must rediscover the ability to dialogue, to seek peaceful solutions.”
Pope Leo preached “respect for the dignity of every person,” calling it “the message of the Church.” He also reiterated his plea for Catholics to pray for peace, especially throughout the month of October.
Asked again about the Israeli Embassy’s statement against the Vatican’s position on Gaza, Pope Leo reiterated that “the Cardinal very clearly expressed the Holy See’s position on this matter.”
Readers can find a complete report on Cardinal Parolin’s interview marking the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack here.
