Italian Democrats back Israeli opposition, criticize Netanyahu's policies

A group of Italian Democrats, identifying as Reformists, has issued a manifesto urging support for the Israeli opposition in the upcoming October 27 elections. They assert that the success of the opposition is crucial for liberating the country from what they describe as a "racist right-wing" government. The manifesto emphasizes that the elections are not merely about parliamentary balance but about the fundamental nature and identity of Israel, a society deeply fractured by the Netanyahu government's "violent and racist policies." The statement specifically condemns the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, viewing it as a step toward annexation that would preclude a two-state solution. Regarding Gaza, the manifesto criticizes the ineffectiveness of the Trump Plan, Hamas's refusal to disarm, and the inability of the Palestinian Authority to govern. It also denounces the Israeli government's "aggressive and inhumane policy" towards the Palestinian population, who continue to endure deprivation and precarious conditions. The appeal extends to the international community, calling for action rather than silence. It specifically asks the European Union to suspend collaborations and urges the Italian government to cease making decisions that contravene international law and jeopardize a peace solution. Such a solution, they stress, should ensure both Israel's security and the Palestinian people's right to their own homeland. The signatories conclude that supporting the Israeli opposition is a democratic duty, essential for freeing the country from its current leadership and paving the way for a political resolution to the crisis.