The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP), a major U.S. Jewish organization, recently called on Pope Francis, who has frequently called for peace and decried the targeting of civilians, to “refrain from making incendiary comments” about the war between Israel and Hamas.

Leaders of the group said in a letter dated Dec. 30 that they are concerned about recent comments Pope Francis has made “regarding Israel’s defensive war against Hamas.”

“We appreciate and share your concern for the suffering of innocent civilians and desire to spread peace and compassion around the world. However, statements you have made … only serve to distort Israel’s legitimate military campaign and fuel antisemitism and unjust targeting of the Jewish state,” the leaders wrote, referring to comments he made during his Christmas address to the Roman Curia on Dec. 21.

“Yesterday the [Latin] patriarch [of Jerusalem] was not allowed into Gaza, as had been promised; and yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to tell you this because it touches my heart,” the pope said as reported by the Vatican.

The pope’s statement “does not acknowledge Israel’s right to defend itself in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 massacre where Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 innocent civilians and took 251 hostages, 101 of whom still remain captive,” the Jewish leaders wrote.

“Further, it does not acknowledge Hamas’ use of human shields and civilian infrastructure for terror purposes, putting the entire population of Gaza at risk.”

This is not the first time that a Catholic leader’s statements on the Israel-Hamas war have drawn criticism. Israel’s embassy to the Holy See in June defended Israel’s “right to defend itself” following a statement by Catholic leaders in the Holy Land that suggested Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza is not a “just war.”

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.

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