«Normally a mayor, these days, expects good wishes from other institutions. In Riace, however, a letter arrived in which the Meloni government, through the Northern League minister Calderoli, tells us that we do not have his consent to the twinning of my municipality with the city of Gaza, which has been besieged for over two years by a real genocide carried out by Israel”.
“The government does not take our history into account. It is Tajani who opposes the twinning”
Mimmo Lucano, mayor of Riace, stated this in an interview with La Stampa. As for the reasons, «for the link – explains Lucano – between the local councils and mayors of Gaza and the terrorist organization Hamas subjected to sanctions by the EU. Therefore, according to the government, the twinning could cause serious damage to Italian foreign policy.” «The government doesn’t take our history into account» continues Lucano.
«It seems – he says – that they are accusing me of complicity with the terrorist organization Hamas. I have never had contact with Hamas, our commitment to the Palestinian people has nothing to do with October 7th. It dates back many years and is a closeness that was created as a response to the genocide committed by Israel.” “In reality – he adds – the letter is signed by Minister Calderoli but cites the negative opinion expressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so it is Tajani who opposes the twinning”. Then Lucano concludes: «I will oppose it in all the institutional settings where it will be possible to oppose it. First of all, I will write a letter to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella to denounce that we are suffering a violent and authoritarian act that makes no sense from a legal point of view.”