2023-10-16 09:46:15
”I have nothing to do with Hamas. I am Christian and I am left-wing, I am not an Islamic fundamentalist”. Thus Patrick Zaki in an interview with ‘Corriere della Sera’ after the controversy over the post on Israel. “In Egypt people like me are killed by Islamic fundamentalists. In 2014 I collected humanitarian aid for Gaza but they told me that I had better not go and bring it because I wouldn’t be welcome. I am for Palestine, not for Hamas – he reiterated – And I hope that all the hostages are freed. Everyone, starting with the Italians. I don’t forget that Italy fought for my freedom”.
”I am against the current government of Israel and the policies it has followed in recent years – he explains – And I am not the only one who thinks this way: the actions of this government have been criticized both in the past and in recent days by several Countries, including the United States. I have already made it clear what my opinion is regarding the current Israeli government on Tg1 and in my latest letter to Repubblica”.
And on his words about Netanyahu, defined as a serial killer, Zaki replies: ”What came to mind? I thought of all the civilians, of all the people including women and children who have been killed in Gaza in recent years, of my dear friend Shireen Abu Akleh, the journalist who was killed last year by Israeli soldiers while working in West Bank”. ”I am against all war crimes – he adds – I condemn the killing of civilians. I have already reiterated this several times in various interviews. I am a peaceful militant for human rights and I am against all forms of violence. I believe that now is the time to think about how to resolve the situation and work for peace in this part of the world”.
What happened: the controversies
In a post, Zaki had defined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “a serial killer” who “tries to convince the international community that he respects international conventions, to legalize the killing of civilians”. Many users have stigmatized his attitude, highlighting the absence – in their opinion – of an explicit condemnation of Hamas’s action.
“In the Israel-Palestine conflict, no one can be considered pro-Hamas if they support Palestine. I am not with Hamas,” he later wrote on X after the criticism he received. “It would seem that taking the position of defending Palestinian civilians will put you in a problematic situation, especially since all the international media is pro-Israel and does not talk about the grave human crisis on the other side. My priority will always be life of civilians, I will always condemn any violence against civilians throughout the world, but in doing so I will always be on the side of the weak and against fascism and occupation”, added the student from the University of Bologna detained in Egypt between 2020 and 2021.
“I have been and will continue to be a fervent supporter of the Palestinian cause and of the right of the Palestinian people to regain their homes and lands – he underlined – which have been violently plundered throughout history. The racist and colonization policies of the government of Netanyahu are the root of the seemingly perpetual state of war we now find ourselves in, resulting in the tragic loss of thousands of civilian lives, including innocent women and children.”
Book Fair and Che tempo che fa
After the controversy over the post on Israel, Sermig and the Arsenale della Pace canceled “the meeting scheduled for October 17th” with the Egyptian activist “as part of the ‘Waiting for the Salone’ event”. This was made known by Sermig himself, who in a note speaks of “changed conditions”, deeming it “not appropriate to fuel controversy and exploitation”.
Zaki was also supposed to be a guest of Fabio Fazio in the first episode of the new season of ‘Che Tempo che fa’, which aired yesterday Sunday 15 October on Nove. The presence of the Egyptian student had been announced in recent days. “We will host Zaki as soon as possible,” Discovery said.
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