Anti-Semitism must be fought with 'determination' - CSD

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 23 - Italy's Supreme Defence Council (CSD) on Wednesday expressed solidarity to the Israeli population one year after Hamas's brutal October 7 attacks, voicing concern for a "grave and unacceptable" resurgence of anti-Semitism while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians.
    The Council said it was necessary to work "with determination" for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
    And said attacks against UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon were unacceptable, according to a statement issued by President Sergio Mattarella's office.
    "The Council has renewed the closeness and solidarity of the Italian Republic to the Israeli people one year after Hamas's barbaric attacks against defenceless citizens and considers indispensable the immediate release of all hostages still held in inhumane detention", said the note released by Mattarella's office.
    "The Council supports with conviction the right of Israel to its existence in peace and security and to defence from attacks, in the respect of international and humanitarian law.
    "The continuation of a grave and unacceptable resurgence of feelings of anti-Semitism is concerning and must be condemned and fought with determination", the note said.
    The Council went on to express "deep concern for the unacceptable condition of civilians in Gaza", saying it was "urgent to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure, with effectiveness and without obstacles, the distribution of humanitarian aid".
    "It is necessary, with determination, to work for a negotiated solution between Israel and Palestine which, with the support of the international community, provides for the creation of two sovereign and independent States", said the note. The Council went on to say that "the security and the safeguard of UNIFIL personnel remains central", noting that "its presence is fundamental for the stabilization of the region".
    It noted that it "considers the attacks against UN peace forces by the Israeli army unacceptable and stresses how all sides involved have the obligation, under Resolution 1701, as well as under international law, to guarantee the security and safety of personnel and facilities of the UN".
    The statement also said the "Council considers that the removal from southern Lebanon of illegal weaponry, made even clearer by the actions carried out by Hezbollah militants in the area patrolled by UNIFIL, can only be reached through the full participation of the sides in the implementation of the 2006 UN Resolution 1701".
    It stressed the need for a ceasefire and called for an initiative both of the UN and countries contributing to the mission to strengthen UNIFIL " to make it more effective" to reach the goal for which it was crated. The Supreme Council of Defence is an institution of Constitutional importance which controls the Italian Armed Forces.
    Ultimate responsibility for political and technical matters of national security are given to its members: the President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, as well as the Ministers of the Interior, of Foreign Affairs, of the Treasury, and of Industry and Commerce.
    (ANSA).