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."
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said that the statement was inappropriate and in no way reflected the strong ties between Israel and Italy. The ministry said Mr Kara had apologised for the remarks.
Italy was one of the countries to abstain during the vote on a Unesco resolution that did not recognise the Jewish connection to Temple Mount. The Israeli government was disappointed Italy had not voted against the vote, especially as ties with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government have been close of late.
Mr Kara, a member of the Druze community, is Likud's only non-Jewish MK and has made outspoken statements in the past, including accusing Israel of forsaking the Druze minority in Syria.
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