Date: June 28, 2023

Rome - In a significant development today, a delegation from the European League, led by Stefania Ascari and President Michele Piras, convened two crucial meetings at the Houses of Parliament in Rome. The delegation met with members of the BDS campaign, as well as a delegation returning from Palestine, led by former MEP and long-standing pro-Palestine activist Hon. Luisa Morgantini.

The primary focus of the discussions centered around the urgent need for an upgrade in Europe's institutional policies to ensure the full respect of international law and human rights in Palestine. Reports from the ground, corroborated by limited coverage in the Western press, have highlighted a deteriorating and alarming situation due to the escalating aggressiveness of Israeli policies in the occupied territories. Many have described the current context as resembling a "pogrom," with settlers perpetrating acts of violence against Palestinians.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the attending Members of Parliament unanimously agreed on the immediate necessity of providing international protection for the civilian population. They pledged to raise this urgent matter in Parliament and bring it to the attention of both the Italian and European governments.

However, concerns were expressed regarding the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Israel, as her overt pro-Israel stance and close ties to Benjamin Netanyahu have raised doubts about her commitment to addressing the crisis effectively.

Nonetheless, the protection of civilians must transcend political considerations in a democratic system. Therefore, the attending MPs stressed the importance of taking all necessary actions to compel the government to prioritize this issue at the United Nations.

A second issue discussed during the meetings centered on the potential adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, which has been sponsored by the radical wing of Israeli supporters. Participants expressed reservations about this generic and broad definition, fearing it could lead to widespread censorship and stifle critical voices by equating any criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. These concerns were raised in the backdrop of an already challenging environment, where influential institutions such as Amnesty International and the UNHCR face attacks.

The forthcoming months are expected to witness a crucial debate regarding the necessity of combating all forms of racism while defending democratic values.

The third issue addressed in the meetings revolved around the lack of transparency in military and technological cooperation between Israel and European countries. Of particular concern was the "Pegasus" spyware, which was originally tested and used against Palestinians and is now being exported to European Union countries from Israeli cyber factories. This flagrant violation of privacy rights and democratic principles may have profound political consequences.

These questions signify further progress in the League's efforts to establish a comprehensive and effective network at the institutional level in Europe. The organization and individuals involved in the meetings in Rome are committed to providing the necessary support and information to parliamentarians seeking to address the pressing issues surrounding Palestine.

The European League's endeavors highlight the growing recognition of the urgent need to find a just and lasting solution to the Palestine crisis, with an emphasis on protecting human rights, defending democracy, and upholding international law.