by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Massimiliano Fedriga, Governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Rav Eliahu Alexander Meloni, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia; Lorella Bucci, chair of Odv Salaam ragazzi dell’olivo, a non-profit organisation supporting the Palestinian people
A conference examining relations between Italy and Israel unfolded under tight security on Thursday, as Israeli ministers addressed participants by video link while pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government.
The event, titled Italia e Israele: l’una nello sguardo dell’altra (“Italy and Israel: Each Through the Other’s Eyes”), was organized by the cultural association E361 with the stated aim of fostering a more nuanced discussion of relations between the two countries in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the war in Gaza.
Citing security concerns following a morning demonstration, organizers closed the conference to the public.
Among the speakers joining remotely were Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli. Attending in person were Friuli Venezia Giulia Governor Massimiliano Fedriga and Rav Eliahu Alexander Meloni, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
In his video address, Sa’ar described Israel as being “under siege from the world’s most extremist and jihadist forces, led by Iran,” and expressed hope that the conference would encourage greater understanding in Italy and across Europe. Chikli highlighted Trieste’s historical significance to the Zionist movement, noting that the city served as a departure point for thousands of Jews emigrating before the Second World War.
Speaking to reporters, Fedriga defended the value of hosting the discussion despite the controversy surrounding it.
“It is right to listen to every voice,” he said. “Otherwise, we risk simply doing propaganda.” He added that dialogue remains “the main road that leads to peace.”
Outside the venue, around 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Palestina libera” (“Free Palestine”). The protest was organized by local activists opposing the conference and calling on regional authorities to suspend institutional ties with Israel.
Among those addressing the crowd was Lorella Bucci, president of the non-profit organization Odv Salaam Ragazzi dell’Olivo. Referring to legal proceedings involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she argued that the region should distance itself from the Israeli government and called for stronger support for the Palestinian cause.
Rav Meloni sought to clarify the nature of the event, stressing that the video participants were not attending as an official Israeli government delegation but were contributing to a broader discussion on how Israel is perceived in the West. He said maintaining dialogue, even amid deep divisions, was essential to reducing violence and fostering understanding.
A second pro-Palestinian demonstration was scheduled for Thursday evening in Piazza Verdi, coinciding with the conference’s closing concert, underscoring how the conflict in the Middle East continues to resonate far beyond the region itself, including in cities like Trieste, where history, diplomacy and public opinion intersect.
