The Israeli Foreign Ministry has been forced to disown remarks by Deputy International Development Minister Ayoub Kara, who said the recent earthquakes in Italy were divine retribution for Rome's failure to back Israel during last week's anti-Israel vote at Unesco.
The comments came in a statement from Mr Kara's office after the minister met Pope Francis in Rome. They sparked outrage across Italy and, awkwardly for the Israeli government, came ahead of a visit by Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Israel this week.
Two months ago, an earthquake in central Italy killed over 300 people and last week there were at least three strong tremors.
In his statement, Mr Kara said: "I am certain that the earthquake happened because of Unesco's decision that the pope didn't really love."
