The case of Anan Ya’ish, a Palestinian political prisoner held in Italy at the request of Israeli authorities, has ignited outrage across the country. From Rome to Milan, Italian streets have become rallying grounds for justice, as students, academics and solidarity groups denounce what they describe as a dangerous precedent: the extradition of a Palestinian activist based on allegations rooted in occupation, not justice.

Ya’ish, originally from Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, took part in the Second Intifada and was imprisoned for over three years by Israel. After his release, he sought refuge in Italy in 2017, where he was granted protection in full knowledge of his political past. That protection now stands in stark contrast to the extradition proceedings he faces, an attempt by Israel to punish decades-old resistance under the guise of international cooperation.

Italian courts recently acknowledged that the “evidence” against Ya’ish, including confessions, was extracted under torture, a flagrant violation of international law. Yet, despite retracting the use of this evidence, the court has kept him imprisoned in Terni, sparking protests and legal condemnation.

From his prison cell, Ya’ish has declared himself a political prisoner, asserting that his struggle is not a crime but a right enshrined in international law. “The people seeking my extradition are occupiers, not a legitimate authority,” he said. His words resonate widely in a Europe where pro-Palestinian voices are increasingly silenced.

For many, Ya’ish’s case symbolises a broader crackdown on Palestinian activism across borders. It raises urgent questions: Why is Italy honouring the request of a state that denies the rights of the very people it occupies? And at what point does silence become complicity?