Italian Journalist Fired After Questioning IsraelS Role in Gaza Reconstruction
Brussels, Belgium – gabriele Nunziati, Brussels correspondent for Italian news agency agenzia Nova, was terminated from his position following a question he posed to a European Commission spokesperson regarding potential Israeli financial responsibility for rebuilding Gaza.The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) adn its European counterpart (EFJ) are protesting the October dismissal, calling it a violation of press freedom.
The controversy began on October 13 when nunziati asked Paula Pinho, spokesperson for the European Commission, whether Israel should contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction, mirroring calls for russia to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine. Nunziati’s full question was: “You have repeatedly said that Russia should pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine.Do you think Israel should also pay for the reconstruction of Gaza, given that it has destroyed much of the Gaza Strip and its civilian infrastructure?” Pinho declined to comment.
Agenzia Nova informed Nunziati of the end of their collaboration on October 27, citing the question as “completely inappropriate and wrong.” The agency explained to Fanpage that the question created “embarrassment,” arguing a key distinction existed between the situations: Russia “invaded Ukraine, a sovereign country, without being provoked,” while Israel “suffered armed aggression.”
Nunziati defended his inquiry in a post on Instagram, stating, “My question can only be considered biased if one refuses to see reality. It is a fact that Israel has almost completely razed Gaza. This is not an opinion.” He has received support from Italian journalist colleagues.
The IFJ and EFJ jointly condemned the dismissal, asserting, “Criticizing a journalist for asking disturbing questions based on verified and confirmed information is deeply shocking and constitutes a blatant disregard for the fundamental principles of press freedom.”
