Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is under fire for remarks made during the “March for Peace” in Assisi, where he referred to the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 as an “odious blitz.” Conte’s statement, describing the attack as a brief raid lasting “a few hours,” downplayed the scale of the violence that claimed the lives of 364 Israeli civilians, with many others kidnapped and women assaulted. His words sparked immediate backlash, particularly from the Jewish community.
Conte’s comments also revealed a significant misunderstanding, as he appeared to confuse the State of Israel with Jewish communities, stating that he had met with representatives of these communities shortly after the attack. This conflation was pointed out by Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish community in Rome, who criticized Conte for not addressing the right interlocutors when discussing the conflict. Fadlun noted that the radicalization of language can fuel anti-Semitic sentiments, a growing concern in today’s climate.
Conte’s remarks have reignited debates over his political stance, as he took to social media to share his speech. Many online criticized him, with some accusing him of choosing “dishonor” by minimizing the terrorist violence. The incident has raised further questions about the former premier’s handling of sensitive international issues.
