More than 650 politicians, journalists, academics, and Jewish community leaders in Italy have signed a public letter in support of the State of Israel, published Tuesday and widely covered by the Italian media. The signatories call on Europe to oppose the recent wave of anti-Israel demonstrations being held under the banner of “For Gaza.” According to the letter, these rallies overlook the existential threat posed by the Hamas terror organization — not only to Israel, but to Jews across Europe.
Media Exposure
The letter states that amid ongoing protests against Israel and Europe’s silence in the face of accusations and victim-blaming, the continent risks returning to historical patterns that have come at a heavy cost.
The signatories declare: “We mourn the deaths of innocent civilians — but we demand recognition of the truth. Those who want peace must call for the dismantling of Hamas.”
Fighting Antisemitism
The letter also warns of a global wave of antisemitism that has intensified since the October 7 attack. The authors urge Europe “to distinguish between legitimate criticism and defamation that masks ancient hatred.” They emphasize that demonstrations held under slogans of peace are, in practice, becoming platforms for delegitimizing Israel.
A Message to the World
“In the name of compassion, we must not ignore reality,” the letter reads. “Those who seek protection for Palestinians must call for the dismantling of Hamas. And those who seek protection for Jews must support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
A Wake-Up Call
The initiative was led by Dr. Fiamma Nirenstein, a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and former deputy chair of the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. According to Nirenstein, the October 7 Hamas invasion was not merely an attack, but “a call for renewed genocide.” She described the letter as a wake-up call to Europe: “Antisemitism must not be whitewashed with the language of compassion.”
