17 apr 2019
This week marks the 8th anniversary of the death of Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian journalist and activist working with the International Solidarity Movement, in Gaza.
On April 16th, 2011, when Arrigoni was 36 years old, his body was found in Gaza city, only a few hours after “The Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammad bin Muslima”, a Salafist group operating in Gaza, released the video where he was blindfolded and wounded. His alleged murderers were arrested and sentenced to 15 years after appealing their sentences.
Vittorio Arrigoni spent three years inside Gaza, working with peoples whose lives were affected by the blockade of the area. He witnessed and documented the effects of the Israeli blockade and the continuous human rights abuse, in the area. He was a committed ISM activist which also made him a target for arrest and harassment by Israeli forces, as it led him to a number of different demonstrations and protests around Gaza.
After breaking the blockade in 2008, Arrigoni described that moment as being one of the happiest of his life, as “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also, that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”.
On the 8th anniversary of his passing, when Gaza remains besieged by the occupation, we still remember Vittorio through his words and actions, and hope to continue our work through the example that he set for us.
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times …Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.”
~Vittorio Arrigoni
4th February, 1975 – 15th April, 2011
On April 16th, 2011, when Arrigoni was 36 years old, his body was found in Gaza city, only a few hours after “The Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammad bin Muslima”, a Salafist group operating in Gaza, released the video where he was blindfolded and wounded. His alleged murderers were arrested and sentenced to 15 years after appealing their sentences.
Vittorio Arrigoni spent three years inside Gaza, working with peoples whose lives were affected by the blockade of the area. He witnessed and documented the effects of the Israeli blockade and the continuous human rights abuse, in the area. He was a committed ISM activist which also made him a target for arrest and harassment by Israeli forces, as it led him to a number of different demonstrations and protests around Gaza.
After breaking the blockade in 2008, Arrigoni described that moment as being one of the happiest of his life, as “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also, that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”.
On the 8th anniversary of his passing, when Gaza remains besieged by the occupation, we still remember Vittorio through his words and actions, and hope to continue our work through the example that he set for us.
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times …Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.”
~Vittorio Arrigoni
4th February, 1975 – 15th April, 2011
19 apr 2016
Last Thursday, 14th April, marked four years since the disappearance of Vittorio Arrigoni in Gaza, under the Israeli blockade.
According to subsequent statements and investigations carried out by Hamas, ISM activist Vittorio’s body was discovered the following day, having been kidnapped and executed by the previously unheard of “Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammed bin Muslima,” a Salafist splinter-group.
His alleged murderers were eventually arrested and sentenced to life-imprisonment (reduced to fifteen years on appeal).
Before his death Vittorio was a committed, passionate ISM activist who spent the best part of three years of his life in Gaza between 2008 and 2011, working
According to subsequent statements and investigations carried out by Hamas, ISM activist Vittorio’s body was discovered the following day, having been kidnapped and executed by the previously unheard of “Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammed bin Muslima,” a Salafist splinter-group.
His alleged murderers were eventually arrested and sentenced to life-imprisonment (reduced to fifteen years on appeal).
Before his death Vittorio was a committed, passionate ISM activist who spent the best part of three years of his life in Gaza between 2008 and 2011, working
in solidarity with the Palestinian people suffering from the Israeli blockade. He first went to Gaza as part of the Free Gaza flotilla that broke the blockade in August 2008.
Vittorio worked in solidarity with farmers and fishermen, attended demonstrations and documented, for both ISM and other media outlets, the countless examples of Israeli human rights abuses that he witnessed. This was none more evident than in his work during Operation Cast Lead, in which hundreds of civilians were massacred.
Despite the difficulties he encountered in his work, Vittorio was an incredibly positive, happy and optimistic person. He described the breaking of the blockade in 2008 as the happiest moment of his life, stating that, “it became clear, not only to the world but Palestinians also, that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
Vittorio was a born activist whose grandfathers “fought and died struggling against occupation, a fascist Nazi one. For that reason presumably in my DNA, my blood, there are particles that push me to struggle for freedom and human rights.”
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza, last week, where Vittorio is considered a Martyr to the cause of peaceful resistance, to commemorate the anniversary of Vittorio’s death- singing, dancing and showing a film dedicated to his life. Vittorio’s memory is still honoured in Gaza by the street and school that carry his name. A book of Vittorio’s daily dispatches to Italian media – “Gaza: Stay Human” – was first published in 2010 with an introduction by Ilan Pappe.
The ISM continues in Vittorio’s spirit, to support and show solidarity with the Palestinian people in their peaceful, non-violent opposition to the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times … Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.”
Vittorio Arrigoni
4th February 1975 – 15th April 2011
Vittorio worked in solidarity with farmers and fishermen, attended demonstrations and documented, for both ISM and other media outlets, the countless examples of Israeli human rights abuses that he witnessed. This was none more evident than in his work during Operation Cast Lead, in which hundreds of civilians were massacred.
Despite the difficulties he encountered in his work, Vittorio was an incredibly positive, happy and optimistic person. He described the breaking of the blockade in 2008 as the happiest moment of his life, stating that, “it became clear, not only to the world but Palestinians also, that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
Vittorio was a born activist whose grandfathers “fought and died struggling against occupation, a fascist Nazi one. For that reason presumably in my DNA, my blood, there are particles that push me to struggle for freedom and human rights.”
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza, last week, where Vittorio is considered a Martyr to the cause of peaceful resistance, to commemorate the anniversary of Vittorio’s death- singing, dancing and showing a film dedicated to his life. Vittorio’s memory is still honoured in Gaza by the street and school that carry his name. A book of Vittorio’s daily dispatches to Italian media – “Gaza: Stay Human” – was first published in 2010 with an introduction by Ilan Pappe.
The ISM continues in Vittorio’s spirit, to support and show solidarity with the Palestinian people in their peaceful, non-violent opposition to the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times … Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.”
Vittorio Arrigoni
4th February 1975 – 15th April 2011
18 apr 2015
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“History is us.
History is not cowardly governments with their loyalty to whoever has the strongest military History is made by ordinary people everyday people, with family at home and a regular job who are committed to peace as a great ideal to the rights of all to staying human. History is us who risked our lives |
to bring utopia within reach
to offer a dream, a hope, to hundreds of thousands of people
Who cried with us
as we reached the port of Gaza
…Our message of peace
is a call to action
for other ordinary people like ourselves
not to hand over your lives
to whatever puppeteer is in charge this time round
But to take responsibility for the revolution
First, the inner revolution
to give love, to give empathy
It is this that will change the world
We have shown that peace is not an impossible utopia
Or perhaps we have shown that sometimes
utopia can be possible
Believe this
Stand firm against intimidation, fear, and despair
And simply remain human.”
These were the first words Vittorio Arrigoni posted to his Italian blog after he arrived to Gaza.
April 15, 2015, marks the fourth anniversary of the murder of ISM activist and comrade Vittorio “Vik” Arrigoni in the Gaza Strip.
Vittorio arrived in Gaza on the 23rd of August 2008, breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza with around 40 other international activists which he described as one of the happiest moments of his life: “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
From his arrival until his murder on the 15th of April 2011, Vittorio stayed in Gaza to work with the International Solidarity Movement there where he attended regular demonstrations, helped both farmers and fishermen and documented the countless Israeli crimes against humanity that he witnessed.
Vittorio also stayed in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead which massacred hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians.
Vittorio, we will never forget you.
In the words of Vik’s mother, Egidia Beretta: "This lost child of mine is more alive than ever before, like the grain that has fallen to the ground and died to bring forth a plentiful harvest. I see it and hear it already in the words of his friends, above all the younger among them, some closer, some from afar…we were a long way from Vittorio, but now we are closer than ever, with his living presence magnified at every passing hour, like a wind from Gaza, from his beloved Mediterranean, blowing fierily to deliver the message of his hope and of his love for those without a voice, for the weak and the oppressed, passing the baton.
Zionism is an abominable, racist and colonial movement. Like all colonial and apartheid systems, it’s in the interest of all that it be swept away. My hope is to see it replaced, without any bloodshed, with a democratic, secular and lay state – for example on the borders of historic Palestine – and where Palestinians and Israelis could live under equal rights of citizenship without ethnic and religious discrimination. It’s a wish that I hope will soon become a reality."
You can find out more about Vittorio and the work he did in Palestine through this Aljazeera documentary.
to offer a dream, a hope, to hundreds of thousands of people
Who cried with us
as we reached the port of Gaza
…Our message of peace
is a call to action
for other ordinary people like ourselves
not to hand over your lives
to whatever puppeteer is in charge this time round
But to take responsibility for the revolution
First, the inner revolution
to give love, to give empathy
It is this that will change the world
We have shown that peace is not an impossible utopia
Or perhaps we have shown that sometimes
utopia can be possible
Believe this
Stand firm against intimidation, fear, and despair
And simply remain human.”
These were the first words Vittorio Arrigoni posted to his Italian blog after he arrived to Gaza.
April 15, 2015, marks the fourth anniversary of the murder of ISM activist and comrade Vittorio “Vik” Arrigoni in the Gaza Strip.
Vittorio arrived in Gaza on the 23rd of August 2008, breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza with around 40 other international activists which he described as one of the happiest moments of his life: “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
From his arrival until his murder on the 15th of April 2011, Vittorio stayed in Gaza to work with the International Solidarity Movement there where he attended regular demonstrations, helped both farmers and fishermen and documented the countless Israeli crimes against humanity that he witnessed.
Vittorio also stayed in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead which massacred hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians.
Vittorio, we will never forget you.
In the words of Vik’s mother, Egidia Beretta: "This lost child of mine is more alive than ever before, like the grain that has fallen to the ground and died to bring forth a plentiful harvest. I see it and hear it already in the words of his friends, above all the younger among them, some closer, some from afar…we were a long way from Vittorio, but now we are closer than ever, with his living presence magnified at every passing hour, like a wind from Gaza, from his beloved Mediterranean, blowing fierily to deliver the message of his hope and of his love for those without a voice, for the weak and the oppressed, passing the baton.
Zionism is an abominable, racist and colonial movement. Like all colonial and apartheid systems, it’s in the interest of all that it be swept away. My hope is to see it replaced, without any bloodshed, with a democratic, secular and lay state – for example on the borders of historic Palestine – and where Palestinians and Israelis could live under equal rights of citizenship without ethnic and religious discrimination. It’s a wish that I hope will soon become a reality."
You can find out more about Vittorio and the work he did in Palestine through this Aljazeera documentary.
15 apr 2013
Humanity has no nationality: 2nd anniversary of the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni
By Team Khalil
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times …
Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.” -Vittorio Arirgoni
Today marks the second anniversary of the murder of ISM activist and comrade Vittorio Arrigoni in the Gaza Strip. Vittorio arrived in Gaza on the 23rd of August 2009, breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza with around 40 other international activists which he described as one of the happiest moments of his life: “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
From his arrival until his murder on the 15th of April 2011 , Vittorio stayed in Gaza to work with the International Solidarity Movement there where he attended regular demonstrations, helped both farmers and fishermen and documented the countless Israeli crimes against humanity that he witnessed. Vittorio also stayed in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead which massacred hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians.
In an interview he said: “I am from a partisan family, my grandfathers fought and died struggling against occupation, a fascist Nazi one. For that reason presumably in my DNA, my blood, there are particles that push me to struggle for freedom and human rights.”
As the children of Gaza continue to be born under siege and the Palestinian people suffer the brutality of the occupation every single day, the best way to honour the memory of Vittorio Arrigoni is to continue his work and never cease to resist. Vittorio continues to be an inspiration to people all over the world resisting injustice and inhumanity. To echo one of his favourite quotes, “A victor is merely a dreamer who never stops dreaming.” Vittorio, we will never forget you.
“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times …
Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.” -Vittorio Arirgoni
Today marks the second anniversary of the murder of ISM activist and comrade Vittorio Arrigoni in the Gaza Strip. Vittorio arrived in Gaza on the 23rd of August 2009, breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza with around 40 other international activists which he described as one of the happiest moments of his life: “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”
From his arrival until his murder on the 15th of April 2011 , Vittorio stayed in Gaza to work with the International Solidarity Movement there where he attended regular demonstrations, helped both farmers and fishermen and documented the countless Israeli crimes against humanity that he witnessed. Vittorio also stayed in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead which massacred hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians.
In an interview he said: “I am from a partisan family, my grandfathers fought and died struggling against occupation, a fascist Nazi one. For that reason presumably in my DNA, my blood, there are particles that push me to struggle for freedom and human rights.”
As the children of Gaza continue to be born under siege and the Palestinian people suffer the brutality of the occupation every single day, the best way to honour the memory of Vittorio Arrigoni is to continue his work and never cease to resist. Vittorio continues to be an inspiration to people all over the world resisting injustice and inhumanity. To echo one of his favourite quotes, “A victor is merely a dreamer who never stops dreaming.” Vittorio, we will never forget you.
20 feb 2013
Human rights organisations and PNGO demand that the High Military Court publish reasoning of decision to reduce sentence for perpetrators of Vittorio Arrigoni's murder
Human rights organizations and the Palestinian Non Governmental Organisations’ Network are highly concerned over the recent developments in the trial of the murder of Italian human rights activist Vittorio Arrigoni.
Yesterday, on 19 February 2013, the Military High Court ordered the reduction in the sentence of murderers.
The Permanent Military Court (PMC) in Gaza began the proceedings of Vittorio Arrigoni’s murder case on 11 August 2010. In its judgment on 17 September 2012, the PMC convicted the first defendant (M.S.) and the second defendant (T.H.) on the charges of premeditated killing and kidnapping for the purpose of killing.
They were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour or life imprisonment with hard labour, while stating that the more sever punishment would apply.
The PMS also sentenced the third defendant (K.E.) to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour, after convicting him of kidnapping for the purpose of killing. The fourth defendant (A.G.) was convicted for harbouring fugitives and was sentenced to one year imprisonment.
However, in its latest decision on 19 February 2013, the court granted the convicts’ appeal by reducing the first and the second defendants’ sentence from life imprisonment with hard labour to 15 years imprisonment. The third defendant’s date for appeal hearing is scheduled on 24 February 2013.
Vittorio Arrigoni, was killed, after having been kidnapped in the evening of 14 April 2011, by a group that calls itself the “Al-Hammam Mohammed Bin Maslama Group.” The Palestinian police found his body 15 April 2011 in a house in the ‘Amer housing project, west of Jabalya, located in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) had attended all hearings for the case since the court began the proceedings on 11 August 2011, in its capacity as the legal representative of the Arrigoni family. PCHR officially demanded the court’s panel, in writing, to abstain from applying the death penalty to the defendants if they were convicted, based on its position which rejects the death penalty and in response to the Arrigoni family’s wish expressed in a letter dated 16 December 2011. PCHR notes that the court's ruling was based on firm beliefs and expressed its content towards the sentence issued by the court.
In the light of the Military High Court's decision to reduce the convicts' sentences, it is unclear whether there were developments or changes in the circumstances of the investigation that required adjusting the charges and made the court's panel change its ruling.
In light of these developments, human rights organisations and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations' Network:
1. Demand the High Military Court to publish the reasoning of its decision to reduce the sentence as soon as possible, in order to clarify its motive despite the seriousness of the crime.
2. Assert that the demand to abstain from applying the death penalty to the defendants is based on their position which rejects the death penalty and in compliance with the Arrigoni family’s wish; however, it does not mean that tolerance or waiver of the private or public right, when dealing with perpetrators of dangerous and serious crimes like in this case.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights
Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations' Network
Yesterday, on 19 February 2013, the Military High Court ordered the reduction in the sentence of murderers.
The Permanent Military Court (PMC) in Gaza began the proceedings of Vittorio Arrigoni’s murder case on 11 August 2010. In its judgment on 17 September 2012, the PMC convicted the first defendant (M.S.) and the second defendant (T.H.) on the charges of premeditated killing and kidnapping for the purpose of killing.
They were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour or life imprisonment with hard labour, while stating that the more sever punishment would apply.
The PMS also sentenced the third defendant (K.E.) to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour, after convicting him of kidnapping for the purpose of killing. The fourth defendant (A.G.) was convicted for harbouring fugitives and was sentenced to one year imprisonment.
However, in its latest decision on 19 February 2013, the court granted the convicts’ appeal by reducing the first and the second defendants’ sentence from life imprisonment with hard labour to 15 years imprisonment. The third defendant’s date for appeal hearing is scheduled on 24 February 2013.
Vittorio Arrigoni, was killed, after having been kidnapped in the evening of 14 April 2011, by a group that calls itself the “Al-Hammam Mohammed Bin Maslama Group.” The Palestinian police found his body 15 April 2011 in a house in the ‘Amer housing project, west of Jabalya, located in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) had attended all hearings for the case since the court began the proceedings on 11 August 2011, in its capacity as the legal representative of the Arrigoni family. PCHR officially demanded the court’s panel, in writing, to abstain from applying the death penalty to the defendants if they were convicted, based on its position which rejects the death penalty and in response to the Arrigoni family’s wish expressed in a letter dated 16 December 2011. PCHR notes that the court's ruling was based on firm beliefs and expressed its content towards the sentence issued by the court.
In the light of the Military High Court's decision to reduce the convicts' sentences, it is unclear whether there were developments or changes in the circumstances of the investigation that required adjusting the charges and made the court's panel change its ruling.
In light of these developments, human rights organisations and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations' Network:
1. Demand the High Military Court to publish the reasoning of its decision to reduce the sentence as soon as possible, in order to clarify its motive despite the seriousness of the crime.
2. Assert that the demand to abstain from applying the death penalty to the defendants is based on their position which rejects the death penalty and in compliance with the Arrigoni family’s wish; however, it does not mean that tolerance or waiver of the private or public right, when dealing with perpetrators of dangerous and serious crimes like in this case.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights
Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations' Network
