A delegation representing families of Israeli victims from the October 7 massacres traveled to Rome and met with several high-ranking Italian government officials, including Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and President of the Italian Parliament Lorenzo Fontana.
This mission is part of the joint efforts of the State of Israel and the affected families to secure the release of hostages and to take action against the terrorist organization Hamas. The group also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who wholeheartedly expressed her support for the captives' return and Hamas's eradication.
Several delegations of Israeli victims are currently traveling across Europe and the United States in visits organized by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the AMI Directorate.
"My commitment to work for the release of all the hostages goes beyond the deep friendship I have with Israel," Crosetto stated. "This is a commitment I make because we must combat these atrocities."
"The release of the abductees is an international duty." echoed Fontana, expressing hope that the European public opinions would develop a greater awareness of the tragedy that unfolded on October 7, emphasizing that "security and the fight against terrorism are top priorities in the endeavor to protect peace and freedom."
A destiny worse than death
Avi Eilon, the grieving father of Shira Eilon, who was killed at the Nova festival, delivered a powerful statement during the meeting.
"I want to share the most heart-wrenching confession a father can make about his daughter: when they knocked on our door to tell us that our daughter was dead, what we felt was relief," he said. "In Israel, there are fates worse than death, and we will carry this sorrow until our last breath."
"Shira was murdered because she was Jewish," he added. It's been almost 80 years since the Holocaust, yet we ask ourselves, how far have we really come? Hatred remains the same. To witness, after such a tragedy, people in the streets of Europe chanting 'kill Jews' - how can we let this happen? I am here to tell you one thing: wake up. If not for our children, then for yours. Martin Luther King said that the greatest harm is caused by racism, but even more so by indifference. Don't stay silent."