Italy: Opposition demands gov’t withdraw envoy from Israel

Rome: The recent Israeli air strike on the Al-Tabi’in school in Gaza, which killed at least 100 Palestinians, has sparked outrage among Italian political parties, with some calling on the government to recall Rome’s ambassador from Tel Aviv, Anadolu reported citing local media.

Giuseppe Conte, the leader of the opposition Five Star Movement, and Angelo Bonelli, the leader of the Green Party and the Left Alliance, have urged the government to withdraw the Italian ambassador from Tel Aviv in protest against the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government following the bombing of the Al-Tabi’in school.

Elly Schlein, the leader of the Democratic Party, expressed similar sentiments. She was quoted by the media saying: “The bombing of schools and hospitals constitutes a war crime, and it is unacceptable to continue witnessing what is happening in Gaza.” Schlein emphasised the need for a European and international initiative to stop Netanyahu.

Adding his voice to the chorus of criticism, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, leader of the Forza Italia Party, expressed his outrage on X, stating: “The bombing of a school in #Gaza which caused so many innocent victims is absolutely unacceptable. We ask Israel to respect humanitarian law.” Tajani called for an immediate ceasefire “to protect civilians”.

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Tajani held a video meeting with ambassadors from countries in the region to monitor developments.

On Saturday, Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that over 100 people were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli air strike targeting a school that was being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians were performing the Fajr – dawn – prayer at the time of the strike.

The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted and killed 19 fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. However, both groups strongly denied that any resistance fighters were present at the school.