Five policemen and five demonstrators
sustained mild injuries after a riot broke out during a protest
outside the Rai headquarters in Naples on Tuesday against the
public service broadcaster's coverage of the humanitarian
situation in Gaza as a consequence of the Israel-Hamas war.
The protest had been called after Rai distanced itself from an
appeal made by Sanremo contestant Ghali on the last night of the
televised song festival to "stop the genocide" in Gaza, sparking
an angry reaction from the Israeli ambassador to Italy.
Rai CEO Roberto Sergio subsequently issued a statement referring
to the atrocities committed in the October 7 attacks against
Israel and the plight of the hostages taken by Hamas, but making
no reference to the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The statement was read out and endorsed by veteran TV presenter
Mara Venier on Sunday on a show broadcast by Rai, during which
she was also accused of silencing Ghali and another Sanremo
contestant talking about immigration.
"Public service TV is the media escort of Israeli genocide,"
said the Naples Network for Palestine and other groups
participating in the protest.
"Not only do they constantly censor the ongoing genocide in
Gaza, but they express an openly pro-Zionist position in front
of millions of television viewers," they added.
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