Italian Archbishops Clash Over Israel: "Antisemit"

Archbishop Franco Moscone of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo has come under criticism after signing a petition calling on the Il Libro Possibile festival to reconsider hosting Israeli novelist Eshkol Nevo.

According to AgenSir on June 15, Monsignor Moscone argued that intellectuals have a duty to speak clearly in the face of injustice. He added that Nevo had failed to provide sufficient "criticism and clarity" regarding the actions of the Israeli government.

He insisted that "the issue is not that Nevo is Israeli."

Festival organizers rejected the petition and confirmed that Nevo will participate as scheduled, noting that the writer has repeatedly spoken in favor of peace.

The initiative triggered sharp reactions within the Italian Church.

Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi, secretary-general of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), said that "peace is not built by preventing those who think differently from speaking."

Archbishop Carmelo Pennisi of Monreale described the campaign as "an act of antisemitism."

Picture: Franco Moscone, #newsGijqdiswqa