LONDON: Israel’s Foreign Ministry has backtracked on a message of condolence shared on social media following the death of Pope Francis, deleting the post just hours after it was published.

The message, which appeared on the official X accounts of several Israeli embassies around the world, read: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” It was accompanied by an image of the pontiff at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site for Jewish people.

The Foreign Ministry later ordered the post to be taken down and instructed ambassadors not to sign books of condolence at Vatican missions worldwide, according to Israeli media reports.

The reversal reportedly sparked frustration among diplomats, especially in predominantly Catholic countries, and prompted internal criticism of the ministry’s leadership.

Raphael Schutz, Israel’s former ambassador to the Vatican, said: “I think the decision is a mistake. We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death.”

Schutz and other diplomats argued that retracting condolences risked damaging Israel’s image among the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

While the Foreign Ministry said the original post was published “in error,” the decision to remove it appears tied to Pope Francis’ recent criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The pope, who died on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, had emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

I send my deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel - the Holy Land - on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2025

In his final Easter message he had repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and described the humanitarian situation there as “dramatic and deplorable.”

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that the late pope “was very close to the community of Gaza, the parish of Gaza.”

Pope Francis said of Israel’s actions in Gaza in November 2023: “This is not war; this is terrorism.” His remark drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials and media, including an editorial in The Jerusalem Post accusing him of offering “unconditional support for Hamas.”

Aside from a message of condolence from President Isaac Herzog, who expressed the hope that the pope’s memory would “inspire acts of kindness and hope for humanity,” Israeli leaders have remained largely silent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar did not issue any public statement or social media posts.

The decision not to engage was met with criticism from Israeli commentators and members of the public, who argued that it did not reflect the views of most Israelis.

Political and religious leaders from across the world have expressed their condolences. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent official messages mourning the death of the head of the Vatican City State.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, will be laid to rest in Rome on Saturday. Leaders from across the world, including the Arab region, are expected to attend. It remains unclear whether Israel will send an official delegation.

LONDON: YouTube has released new data highlighting the rapid growth of the content creator economy in the Middle East and North Africa, as the platform marks its 20th anniversary.

The data, published on Wednesday, shows a year-on-year increase in the number of channels earning seven figures or more in revenue in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt.

“As YouTube turns 20, we celebrate the phenomenal work of creators across MENA and their role in driving the region’s popular culture,” Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube in MENA, said.

“These creative entrepreneurs skillfully leveraged YouTube’s diverse formats to share their voices and also build thriving businesses that reach global audiences. We’re proud to be able to support them in their journey and can’t wait to see what the next 20 years holds.”

YouTube was launched in 2005, with the first video — “Me at the Zoo” featuring co-founder Jawed Karim — uploaded on April 23 of that year. Since then, the platform has hosted an estimated 14 billion videos, according to a January report from the University of Massachusetts.

Beyond sheer volume, YouTube has grown into a global hub for culture, learning, and entertainment. The platform now shares revenue with over 3 million creators, artists, and media partners worldwide, including more than half a million who started their channels over a decade ago.

In the MENA region, YouTube’s reach continues to expand. As of May 2024, the platform reached  20 million people aged over 18 in Saudi Arabia, 7.5 million in the UAE, and over 1.7 million people aged 25–54 in Qatar.

According to YouTube’s latest figures, as of December 2024,  the number of channels earning seven figures or more in the Kingdom increased by 40 percent year over year.

Egypt also saw a 60 percent increase in channels reaching seven-figure annual revenues, while the UAE experienced a 15 percent growth during the same time period, reflecting YouTube’s support for its partners and contributions to the creator economy. 

Globally, YouTube has paid out $70 billion to creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years.

The data also underscores the international appeal of MENA creators. Over 95 percent of watch time for channels based in the UAE comes from outside the country, alongside more than 60 percent for Egyptian channels.

YouTube introduced its Arabic-language interface in 2010 to broaden access across the region, and in 2012 launched the YouTube Partner Program in MENA, allowing creators to monetize their content.

Over the years, the platform has amplified a wide range of regional voices — from Saudi satirical shows such as “Noon Al-Niswa” by Hatoon Kadi and the animated series “Masameer,” to Egypt’s Mohamed Abdelhafez, whose agriculture-focused channel has racked up over 100 million views.

Some of MENA’s most memorable YouTube moments include Queen Rania of Jordan receiving the YouTube Visionary Award, the Harlem Shake at the Pyramids of Egypt, AboFlah’s record-breaking fundraiser for refugees, and Thamanyah’s Guinness World Record podcast episode on relationships.

As it enters its third decade, YouTube said it will continue to invest in supporting the region’s content creators — key players in the fast-growing MENA creator economy.