UCEI 'concerned that Oct. 7 terror hailed in Italy'

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 29 - The President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) Noemi Di Segni on Sunday expressed concern over protests hailing "terrorism and massacres" ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas's deadly October 7 attack on Israel after hundreds of people in Rome and Milan demonstrated to express support for the Palestinians and Lebanese and rage against Israel, including some who called Holocaust survivor and Life Senator Liliana Segre, 94, a "Zionist agent".
    "It is concerning that in the most important cities of Italy it is possible to freely hail terrorism and massacres", noted Di Segni.
    "As we approach October 7, we are called to make an assessment, including a moral one, of what occurred and we reiterate Israel's right to defend itself after months of attacks endured through an action that is exclusively aimed at eradicating terrorism to the benefit of the entire region, and of the future security of our cities and freedom of the same deluded and short-sighted demonstrators that we have seen again today.
    "Italy seriously risks finding itself with an ideological group that undermines democracy - an element which should not be underestimated", said the head of UCEI.
    Hundreds of people on Saturday staged demonstrations in Rome and Milan on the day Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike.
    In particular at the demonstration in Milan, the 51st organized in support of Palestinians since October 7, some 300 activists called Segre and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto "Zionist agents" and waved Lebanese flags.
    In Rome, some 250 demonstrators chanted "free Palestine" as well as slogans against Israel and observed a minute of silence for Nasrallah.
    A large demonstration is scheduled to take place in Rome next Saturday - although it has been banned by the local central police department - ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas's deadly attack. (ANSA).