Italian Leaders Piras and Ascari Demand Immediate Intervention by Italian Government to Release the Italian-Palestinian Citizen Detained by Israeli Authorities

  • News
  • September 06, 2023
Italian Leaders Piras and Ascari Demand Immediate Intervention by Italian Government to Release the Italian-Palestinian Citizen Detained by Israeli Authorities

In a heartfelt open letter, the wife and mother of Khaled El Qaisi, an Italian-Palestinian citizen, have appealed for his immediate release from Israeli authorities. Khaled was detained on August 31 and remains in custody while awaiting the formulation of formal charges.

Khaled, who holds dual Italian and Palestinian citizenship, was returning from a family holiday in Bethlehem, Palestine, when he was apprehended at the "Allenby" border crossing. The distressing scene unfolded as Khaled was handcuffed in front of his bewildered four-year-old son, his wife, and other onlookers who were eagerly waiting to continue their journey.

Despite his wife's desperate pleas for an explanation, no response was given by the authorities. Instead, she and her son were abruptly sent to Jordanian territory without any means of communication, money, or contacts in a foreign land. It was only through the kindness of some Palestinian women that they managed to reach the safety of the Italian Embassy later in the day.

Khaled, a translator and student of Oriental Languages and Civilizations at the prestigious Sapienza University of Rome, is known for his passionate dedication to collecting, disseminating, and translating Palestinian historical material. As one of the founders of the Palestinian Documentation Center, an association aimed at promoting Palestinian culture in Italy, Khaled has won the admiration of family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have encountered his work.

As the days pass, concerns grow for Khaled's well-being. He has been denied access to his lawyer, and information regarding his safety remains scarce. The consulate and legal representatives have informed the family that a hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 7.

The situation Khaled finds himself in is dire. Cut off from the outside world, with no sense of time passing, he faces continuous interrogations while anxiously worrying about the fate of his wife and son, who were left stranded with the haunting image of his deportation in handcuffs fresh in their minds.

The urgency of Khaled's release cannot be overstated. His unjust imprisonment has sparked outrage among those who know him and believe in his innocence. His loved ones call upon any individual or institution with the power to investigate his health conditions and exert the necessary pressure for his swift release.

The open letter has already garnered significant attention, and prominent figures are joining the call for Khaled's freedom. Hon. Stefania Ascari and Hon. Michele Piras, European president of the League of Parliamentarians for Palestine, have expressed their solidarity with the family and urged the Italian Government to intervene promptly, demanding Khaled's immediate release.

The world watches with bated breath, hopeful that justice will prevail and Khaled El Qaisi will soon be reunited with his loved ones. The international community stands united in their demand for a fair resolution to this distressing ordeal.

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