Italian politicians targeted in brutal media attack for Palestine support
A brutal political and media assault has been launched against Five Star Movement (M5S) MP Stefania Ascari and her political ally Alessandro Di Battista, two of Italy's most outspoken advocates for Palestinian rights.
The attack is being spearheaded by Il Tempo, a right-wing newspaper, which has weaponized its front page to create a full-blown political crisis for the opposition figures.
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A visual bombshell was seen on the paper's Sunday cover: Headline screaming "ANTISEMITI" ("Antisemites") above a photo of Ascari and Di Battista, provocatively set against a background of six yellow Stars of David. This shocking accusation was designed for maximum impact, immediately framing the politicians with the most toxic label in European politics.
Following up on the headline, the full online report laid out the detailed allegations. It claims a video from a conference in Milan links the pair to individuals believed to be "Hamas sympathizers", specifically naming Mohammad Hannoun who was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for allegedly providing financial support to the resistance movement, Hamas.
This coordinated attack appears to be a direct consequence of Ascari and Di Battista's political activism. Ascari, in particular, has a long history in parliament of condemning 'Israeli' government actions and championing the cause of Palestinian statehood.
In a defiant response, Onorevole Stefania Ascari provided the following statement directly to Roya News:
"Following the numerous defamatory articles published by the newspaper Il Tempo, the latest of which this morning accuses me of anti-Semitism, I have decided to file a complaint demanding that the newspaper answer for its shameful statements about me, clearly made in an attempt to undermine my commitment to fighting the genocide in Gaza.
It is clear to me that these misleading attacks are part of a broader strategy aimed at discrediting those who denounce the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Netanyahu's terrorist and criminal government.
Let me be clear: they will not stop me. I will continue to fearlessly denounce what is happening and defend human rights and the truth, against any attempt at intimidation or delegitimization."
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The newspaper, owned by the powerful right-wing Angelucci family, has seized upon this history, launching a campaign that strategically conflates their pro-Palestinian advocacy with antisemitism and support for Hamas.
This comes after years of unapologetic and high-profile advocacy for the Palestinian cause from both politicians.
Stefania Ascari has repeatedly used her platform in the Italian Chamber of Deputies to make serious accusations against the ‘Israeli’ government, accusing it of committing "war crimes" and "genocide" in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have now been killed by 'Israel' most of whom are women and children, while calling on Italy to formally recognize the state of Palestine.
Similarly, Alessandro Di Battista has made his fervent support for Palestine a cornerstone of his public identity, consistently framing the issue within a broader anti-imperialist critique of Western foreign policy in his widely followed speeches and writings.
It is this history of unflinching and often confrontational support that has made them prominent targets for their political and media opponents.
