Italian police used their truncheons
to beat back Young Palestinians protesting Thursday outside the
Bologna studios of Rai state broadcaster against a recent
pro-Israel statement by its CEO after singer Ghali called for an
end to alleged "genocide" in Gaza at the Sanremo song fest.
The furore erupted over the weekend after Ghali's appeal angered
Israel's Ambassador to Italy Alon Bar, who
said that the festival had been used to spread hate.
This led to a statement by being read out by veteran TV
presenter Mara Venier on Sunday on a show by Rai, which screens
Sanremo, written by CEO Roberto Sergio that
referred to the atrocities committed in the October 7 attacks
and the plight of the hostages taken by Hamas.
The statement was accused of making no reference to the
suffering of Palestinians.
Tensions ran high outside the Bologna regional offices of Rai
Thursday after the Young Palestinians said they had received no
assurances that a statement on Gaza by them would be read out in
its entirety.
The protesters rushed at police who beat them back with their
batons and shields.
There were no initial reports of injuries.
Five police and five demonstrators were hurt at a similar
protest in Naples on Tuesday.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
