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.
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