Italian-Palestinian organizations have issued a statement condemning what they describe as a smear campaign by far-right newspapers. These publications, they claim, are equating support for international law and Palestinian rights with terrorism and are accusing Italian activists of having ties to Hamas.
The statement was released by the Association of Palestinians in Italy—chaired by Mohammed Hannoun, who has himself been accused of links to terrorism and Hamas—and the Charitable Association for Solidarity with the Palestinian People in Italy. The latter was founded by the Jordanian architect Hannoun in 1994 and is active in Gaza with various solidarity initiatives.
The groups assert that these “media offensives are not simple political disagreements: they are forms of intellectual terrorism aimed at intimidating and silencing those who defend justice and international conventions.” They label it a “drama” that is unfolding just as popular solidarity with the Palestinian people is growing within Italy. The associations concluded by urging everyone “to continue countering the campaigns spread by distorted information,” vowing to “remain steadfast until victory is achieved and the aspirations of our people are realized.”
In a separate update, the Charitable Association provided an account of its ongoing humanitarian mission in Gaza, reporting that, thanks to donations collected in Italy, it has distributed hot meals and crates of fresh vegetables.