In a rare act of official defiance within Europe, the regional government of Puglia in southern Italy has severed all cooperation with Israel, condemning what it called the "genocide against Palestinian civilians" in Gaza. The decision, announced by Governor Michele Emiliano, is a political and moral stand against the mass killing of unarmed Palestinians and the relentless military assault that has devastated the Strip.

Governor Emiliano made clear that the move targets the policies of Israel’s current government, not its people, and called on all regional agencies to suspend any coordination with Israeli institutions unless they actively seek to end the war and the suffering in Gaza.

This unprecedented decision comes amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have claimed over 54,000 lives, mostly women and children, since October 2023, according to UN reports. International appeals for a ceasefire have been met with silence, as starvation spreads, infrastructure collapses, and Palestinian civilian life is systematically dismantled.

Puglia's stance joins a growing chorus across Europe calling for accountability. With Israeli leaders facing war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court and a genocide case before the International Court of Justice, this move reflects the increasing isolation of Israel on the international stage, and the urgent demand for justice from global civil society.