Gaza, Renzi and Calenda together in Milan: here dialogue against extremism

The one in Milan is 'a demonstration that is not made against a people, but for dialogue. And which seeks to keep away all intolerance and extremism. The extremisms of those who think that one can make a great Palestine from Jordan to the sea, throwing the Israelis into the sea. The extremisms of those who think that something can be achieved by bombing Gaza and blocking humanitarian aid. The extremisms of those who think there is a justification for what Hamas, the enemy of Italy and the West, is doing'. So said Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione, arriving at the Parenti Theatre in Milan.

Asked whether a synthesis was not possible with the platform of Saturday 7 June, the Action leader replied: 'Anything was possible, of course. And the first thing we proposed was something very simple. That is, to say that that demonstration in that square was not open to those who were calling for the destruction of the state of Israel, to those who shout from Jordan to the sea, and to those who carry out acts against Israeli citizens, because they are Israeli citizens. Because it is one thing to resent the Netanyahu government, and I resent Netanyahu a lot, and another thing to resent a people. Schlein would have done that, but M5S and Avs want to have this discussion all to themselves and I find that a bit demeaning."

"One demonstration? It would certainly have been appreciated'. Thus the leader of Italia Viva Matteo Renzi present at the event 'Two peoples two states one destiny' organised at the Franco Parenti Theatre in Milan with Azione. 'It was chosen by the friends who will be in the square in Rome to have an unchangeable platform, that of the programmatic motions of the parliamentary debate. So,' Renzi added, 'it is right that there is also another venue. The two demonstrations are not contradictory. There are different sensitivities, there are discussions, polemics and contrasts, but we have a place where the two flags can stand together and this is the most beautiful thing. The future of these lands is two peoples and two states and we believe in it'. So 'I won't tell you what is missing in tomorrow's demonstration, ask those of tomorrow. In today's demonstration there are two peoples, two states, two flags, there are the voices of the hostages, of the Palestinians who want to free themselves from Hamas, the voices of the custodians and the Franciscan friars of the Holy Land, there are the voices of politics and of those who say that humanitarian law must be respected in Gaza, as in every other place in the world,' Renzi stressed again.

"We are talking about a huge thing that concerns our time, which is the relationship between Israel and Palestine. I would like us to talk about this,' explained Renzi, replying on the collaboration with Azione. - I am very happy of course that there are so many of us and that there is a collaboration between Italia Viva, Azione, Più Europa and Sinistra per Israele. All together we think that the Italian government can do a little more, less is impossible'. In conclusion, Renzi expressed solidarity with the Parenti director Andre Ruth Shammah who today 'has been the subject of banners, polemics, phrases on the walls, padlocks to block the theatre. Nobody will stop her and nobody stops the Parenti Theatre'.