Israelis and Palestinians, how can we help you?

How can we help you? This is the fundamental question that Mercedes Bresso, coordinator of the Turin chapter of Left for Israel, Two Peoples, Two States, posed to both Chen Arieli, deputy mayor of Tel Aviv, and Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi at the event titled Defeating Netanyahu, held yesterday at the Metropolitan City of Turin.
Bresso’s simple yet extremely effective idea was to make it clear that the role of those discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Italy is not to take sides or join one faction or another, but to imagine realistic paths and realistic solutions that can lead to peace. And any realistic solution, according to those who spoke, requires a change of government in Israel. After the initial remarks by Arieli and Sinijlawi, connected remotely, and the passionate and much applauded speech by Emanuele Fiano, President of Sinistra per Israele, another testimony connected to Israel came from Italian-Israeli activist Roberto Della Rocca, always very clear in his analyses and direct in his positions.
The event concluded with speeches from representatives of all the participating parties and organizations, a broad and diverse spectrum that constituted the evening’s other significant element: when urged to promote concrete solutions beyond slogans, even parties that sometimes appear hostile to Israel cannot help but recognize that there is no alternative to dialogue and mutual recognition between the two peoples.
Unfortunately, the police deployment required for the event to take place was also significant, even though calls to boycott it had already been circulating in the days leading up to it, with a slogan that speaks volumes about the democratic spirit of its promoters: “Left for Israel” out of our city. And although those in the room far outnumbered those outside chanting slogans against the very existence of Israel, it was obviously the latter who ultimately captured the attention of the news.
But the packed room and the participation of so many political parties demonstrate that, despite appearances, there is a silent majority that, as has been said in several speakers, must have courage and not remain silent for fear of a shouting minority.

Anna Segre