This makes Puglia the first region in Italy to openly criticize the Israeli government at an institutional level.
The move followed a regional council motion that urged a stop to any commercial cooperation with Israel. Shortly after, Bari’s city council voted to exclude Tel Aviv from future editions of the Fiera del Levante, one of southern Italy’s biggest economic events.
Emiliano’s letter marks a clear turning point. It demands that all regional officials and employees cut ties with Israeli government representatives, except those actively working to stop the massacre in Gaza.
The letter reads:
“Due to the genocide of defenseless Palestinians by the Netanyahu government, I invite all managers and employees of the Region, its agencies, and companies to suspend all relations with institutional representatives of said government, except those openly and clearly motivated to organize initiatives to stop the massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
The letter expresses deep outrage over the brutal attacks on civilians in Gaza. He also rejects silence on the Gaza blockade of food and water, calling it irresponsible.
