The Italians stopped in the West Bank and expelled have returned: "We are fine"

The Italians who were arrested in the West Bank on Friday while helping farmers harvesting olives have returned and are well. Fourteen foreign activists were subsequently expelled - including six Italians. Among them are two journalists and Giorgia Lombardi - city councilor of La Spezia and member of the national council of Green Europe.

"We are in Italy, we are 'well' and we are safe, but the concern is for the Palestinian people still in prison and who will not be spared violence. I haven't slept for two nights, there has been a lot of psychological and physical violence", said Councilor Lombardi today, stopped by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank together with five other Italians while she was taking part in activities to support the Palestinian population engaged in the olive harvest. And this is how he describes his detention in the Ben Gurion airport detention center and his expulsion from the State of Israel. "The main point, however, remains the Israeli violence against the Palestinian people - comments Lombardi -. These days, for us, have been difficult and frightening, but they have only been two and we have the privilege of being Western. These wonderful people have suffered much worse violence in every moment of their lives for eighty years. Without any fault other than wanting to live in their land. Incidentally: I have no intention of interrupting the fight for freedom and justice in Palestine", he stated.

Bonelli (Avs): "Crimes against humanity in Gaza and the West Bank"

Meanwhile, political controversy has inevitably exploded over yet another episode against Italian citizens in the West Bank, with the opposition calling on the government for their immediate release. "We are following the case", replied Antonio Tajani, underlining that the activists "did nothing, they were just there doing agricultural work in the olive harvest".

Angelo Bonelli, co-spokesperson for Green Europe, MP of Avs, commented: "Collecting olives is a crime for the Israeli army which protects violent and murderous settlers. What is happening in Gaza as in the West Bank are crimes against humanity which take place in the complicit silence of Europe and the Italian government which opposes sanctions on Israel."