Italian MP and journalist Fiamma Nirenstein organized a “speaking marathon” to
support Israel in front of Italy’s parliament in Rome on
Thursday.
Nirenstein, vice president of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
said in a statement ahead of the rally, “I believe that for the sake of peace we
need to restore the truth about the ongoing conflict. We need to neutralize the
denigratory language used day by day to criminalize Israel and to delegitimize
its right to defend its own citizens under attack.”
More than 100 people
with Israeli flags appeared before the speeches began. A total of 1,500
pro-Israel supporters showed up as the speeches – a total of 50 –
started.
Parliamentarians from across the Italian political spectrum
appeared, as well as former minister for equal opportunities Mara Carfagna and
former education minister Mariastella Gelmini.
Speeches were scheduled to
be read from President of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini and President
of the Senate Renato Schifani.
The flyer announcing the demonstration
reads “Israel is defending itself, it didn’t attack.” The notice continued,
“Since Israel’s disengagement in 2005, an intolerable number of missiles,
including Iranian Fajr-5 missiles, have been fired into Israel from the Gaza
Strip. In the past week, over 1,200 rockets fired forced 1 million people living
in southern Israel to give up their normal routine and live in the
shelters.”
According to one organizer of the event, Florence Mayor Matteo
Renzi, now running for the primaries of the Democratic Party, was scheduled to
speak to the demonstrators as part of live phone call hookup.