A dispute erupted in Italy’s Chamber of Deputies over a press conference organised last week by Five Star Movement lawmaker Stefania Ascari calling for the release of Palestinian paediatrician Hussam Abu Safiya, who is detained in Israel. The controversy centred on remarks made in Arabic by Abu Safiya’s son, Ilyas, who appealed to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and referred to her daughter.
“Dear president, when you return home every day, you call your daughter Ginevra,” Ilyas said at the press conference in the Chamber’s press room. “Just as you love your daughter, our families love their children too.”
Brothers of Italy parliamentary leader Galeazzo Bignami wrote to Chamber President Lorenzo Fontana asking him to consider disciplinary measures against Ascari. Fontana referred the matter to the Chamber’s board of quaestors. Brothers of Italy lawmaker Sara Kelany also criticised the remarks, saying Meloni’s minor daughter had been brought into the discussion and that a photograph of her with her mother had subsequently circulated on social media. Edoardo Ziello, leader of the No to Life Imprisonment Movement parliamentary group, also called for action against Ascari.
Five Star leader Giuseppe Conte defended Ascari, describing the response as “shameful political persecution” and saying she was being targeted for travelling to the West Bank and refusing to remain indifferent. Five Star parliamentary leader Riccardo Ricciardi responded to the criticism by raising a separate dispute involving a justice undersecretary and alleged links to the Camorra.
Marco Grimaldi of the Green and Left Alliance also criticised Ziello, recalling that the party had nominated Abu Safiya for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in October.
Sources: ANSA Politica.