Human chain draws red line to call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

A human chain to form a red line in Piazza della Rotonda, in front of the Pantheon, as a symbol of the limit crossed by the very serious events that are happening in the Middle East. A “Red Line” to represent the insurmountable limit beyond which violations of human rights and international law cannot be ignored and must be opposed. A red line that in Gaza has unfortunately been crossed for some time. The flash mob, highly participated and born from the unity and cohesion of the organizations, is born in continuity with similar initiatives at European and global level, which have used the symbol of the “red line” to represent unity and cohesion of civil society around shared key messages.

Civil society organizations, networks and platforms active in the humanitarian, development and human rights sectors, direct witnesses of the conduct of the Israeli armed forces that many attribute to genocide, took to the streets dressed in red, carrying a red and empty banner, to symbolize the lack of action by the international community, the lack of words to comment on what continues to happen, the lack of help and protection for the population that continues to fight for its life every day in those places. Amnesty International Italy, Amref Italy, Aoi, Arcs, Cesvi, Cini, Cospe, Engim, Fondazione Messina, Legambiente, Link2007, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, Platform of Italian NGOs in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Save the Children, Social Change School, Soleterre, SOS Children's Villages, Terre des Hommes, Un Ponte Per, Wwf Italy.

"This action is a testimony of the common commitment to human rights, justice, to demand an end to the ongoing massacre in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In order not to remain silent - explain the organizers - do not look elsewhere, continue to move forward, against impunity, against atrocities, until the political decision-makers of all countries and the international community act, to stop the ongoing horrors. We continue to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and support for the jurisdictional bodies called to guarantee it. Furthermore, it is essential to allow continued humanitarian access without obstacles and the return to the international aid system coordinated by the United Nations and implemented by international NGOs, according to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence". Finally, a specific request is addressed to the Italian Government: to align itself with the other EU Member States, promoting an urgent revision of the EU–Israel Association Agreement (according to Article 2). Today's date, in fact, is not a coincidence. It was chosen because it coincides with the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, a politically and symbolically relevant moment to relaunch the need for a revision of the Agreement.