– MAYOR FABIO ROCCUZZO ON FACEBOOK
18 January – On Thursday 20th and Friday 21st the Ambassador of Palestine in Italy Abeer Odeh will be in Caltagirone, between institutional meetings and visit of the city. Mayor Fabio Roccuzzo: “Among the objectives, also a twinning with Bethlehem inspired by the values of peace and solidarity”. Her Excellency Abeer Odeh, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies FAO, IFAD and WFP since 2019, after accepting the invitation made by the Mayor, will be in Caltagirone on 20th and 21st. On Thursday 20th, at 12.00, she will be welcomed at Palazzo di Città where she will meet the City Council and will hold a press conference in “Mario Scelba” representation hall, together with the Mayor and the Municipal Councilors. At 17.00, in the same hall, there will be an extraordinary City Council convened by the President Francesco Incarbone and opened to the national and regional parliamentarians of the territory. Before and after the session of the Council, the Ambassador will visit the city and the civic Museum at the Bourbon Prison. On Friday 21st at 10.00, in the same “Scelba” hall, she will meet the Mayors of the Calatino (the area corresponding to the entire southern part of the metropolitan city of Catania) and the Mayor of Catania Salvo Pogliese; at 12.00 meeting with Bishop Calogero Peri and visit of the Diocesan Museum; finally, a visit to a ceramic laboratory. “It is a prestigious presence – the Mayor stresses – that qualifies the effort, in which I truly believe, of our city towards internationalization, while connoting it not only in tourist and cultural terms, but also as a community capable of expressing and spreading the culture of peace and solidarity. One of the objectives – the Mayor goes on – is also to build a relationship of permanent collaboration between Caltagirone and Bethlehem, inspired by the values of friendship between peoples and participation around the themes of Nativity and Nativity scenes. But the visit of the Ambassador – the Mayor concludes – is also an extraordinary occasion to involve the whole Calatino in its different institutional structures and with its cultural identity”.
– GIORNALE IL SETTE E MEZZO – SICILIAN NEWSPAPER
18 and 20 January – This Sicilian paper published news on the Ambassador’s visit first on 18 January on the website before she arrived, then on 20 January, both on Facebook and on You Tube, with a video where the Ambassador praises the idea of a twinning saying that “our peoples are similar”. Culture is a weapon she adds, we are not for armed struggle, we abandoned it with President Mahmoud Abbas and we just want to live in peace. Unfortunately, Israeli aggressions continue, that’s why we need the help of all of the free people in the world to put an end to occupation and live in peace.
– SIRACUSA 2000 – LOCAL PAPER FROM SYRACUSE, SICILY
19 January – This paper published a big picture of the Ambassador with an overlapping writing which announced her arrival: “arriva l’ambasciatrice”. The short article summarizes her programme.
– RAINEWS REGIONAL EDITION – SICILY
20 January – The report describes the Ambassador’s visit as aimed at building a bridge of peace, solidarity and collaboration between Caltagirone, Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities, including Hebron, which is famous like Caltagirone for its fine art ceramic. The Ambassador is quoted saying that the State of Palestine has been suffering from Israeli occupation for 70 years and this visit is very important to obtain solidarity and establish collaboration with all the free people in the world. The Mayor of Caltagirone, Fabio Roccuzzo, who invited the Ambassador, is quoted saying that for his town it is important to build bridges, not walls, that’s why this is an important day: they look at the Palestinian people with great sympathy and attention, with this twinning with Caltagirone they will get closer, both schools and NGOs will be mobilized to develop projects of collaboration. The report ends describing the other meetings which the Ambassador would hold in her two-day visit to Sicily.
– SIRACUSA 2000 – LOCAL PAPER FROM SYRACUSE, SICILY
19 January – This paper published a big picture of the Ambassador with an overlapping writing which announced her arrival: “arriva l’ambasciatrice”. The short article summarizes her programme.
– RAINEWS REGIONAL EDITION – SICILY
20 January – The report describes the Ambassador’s visit as aimed at building a bridge of peace, solidarity and collaboration between Caltagirone, Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities, including Hebron, which is famous like Caltagirone for its fine art ceramic. The Ambassador is quoted saying that the State of Palestine has been suffering from Israeli occupation for 70 years and this visit is very important to obtain solidarity and establish collaboration with all the free people in the world. The Mayor of Caltagirone, Fabio Roccuzzo, who invited the Ambassador, is quoted saying that for his town it is important to build bridges, not walls, that’s why this is an important day: they look at the Palestinian people with great sympathy and attention, with this twinning with Caltagirone they will get closer, both schools and NGOs will be mobilized to develop projects of collaboration. The report ends describing the other meetings which the Ambassador would hold in her two-day visit to Sicily.
– KALAT NEWS – INFORMATION IN CALATINO
20 January – Caltagirone calls the city of Bethlehem, Bethlehem responds, to initiate the opening of a dialogue and, more precisely, a twinning that allows the creation of cultural and commercial exchanges between the two realities and, in particular, with the Palestinian State. This initiative was also taken by Luca Giarmanà, Councilor for Cooperation of the Municipality of Caltagirone, who explains the importance of the initiative, the fact that Palestinians live under occupation and deserve their own legitimate State to achieve the two-State solution. Upon her arrival, the Ambassador stopped in the atrium in front of the Town Hall where she explained the reasons for her visit and the warm welcome she received in Caltagirone. She brought the greetings from the President of Palestine, and, concerning Covid emergency she explained that the first emergency in Palestine is one of freedom. Therefore she asked the Italian government to put pressure so that the Palestinian State is recognized. After all, the free people of the world all stand by Palestine, so we are sure that Palestine will be free and democratic. The report refers to other twinnings which have already been subscribed between Bethlehem and Cori as well as Faggiano. It concludes by informing that the Ambassador had just held a press conference.
– VIDEO REGIONE 16 – SICILIAN YOU TUBE CHANNEL
20 January – This report shows the arrival of the Ambassador, an interview with the Mayor of Caltagirone, and the interview where the Ambassador asks the Italian government to put pressure for the recognition of the Palestinian State.
– CITY COUNCIL OF CALTAGIRONE – YOU TUBE CHANNEL
20 January – 12:15 pm, The Ambassador’s Press Conference in Caltagirone at the presence of the City institutions, introduced by the Mayor.
The Ambassador expressed her passion for Sicily, which she is visiting for the second time, after being in Catania 6 months ago. She thanked everybody, including the media and security forces. She praised the twinning between Caltagirone and Bethlehem proposed by the Mayor of Caltagirone, explaining that old Bethlehem is holy to both Christians and Muslims. We are talking about a city which is in danger under occupation. Even churches are in danger here, she explained. She talked about the tradition of ceramics in Hebron and of many products which are similar in Palestine and in Sicily.
The Ambassador also mentioned the importance of a forthcoming European initiative for the recognition of the State of Palestine, recalling the efforts of Italian trade unions in this respect. Then, she wished for a prompt two-State solution to live all in peace and thanked her guests.
Questions from journalists concerned the concrete nature of the twinning. Caltagirone’s Mayor explained the multi-level nature of this twinning.
– CITY COUNCIL OF CALTAGIRONE – YOU TUBE CHANNEL
20 January, 5pm, Extraordinary Meeting of Caltagirone’s City Council (20 Members present out of 24) at the presence of Senator Porta and Regional Councilor Cappello.
The City Council’s Speaker praised the activity of the Ambassador and her efforts to achieve peace through solidarity.
The Mayor of Caltagirone underlined the importance of both solidarity and cultural-economic exchanges. He thus explained the significance of the twinning between Caltagirone and Bethlehem, adding that relations with the whole network of Palestinian ceramic towns will be started, as suggested by the Ambassador. A delegation of Caltaginone’s City Council will soon go to Bethlehem to sign the twinning. On the political side, the Mayor expressed his deep consideration for the State of Palestine, wishing the Holy Land can experience peace at last.
The Ambassador welcomed the initiative of a peace process based on political, cultural and economic collaboration. She expressed her joy and gratitude for the Sicilian hospitality, which she received from people as simple and sincere as the Palestinian one. Sicily, she said, has always been a friend of Palestine. All social and political forces, including trade unions, she said, should persuade the Italian government to recognize the State of Palestine. We suffer an occupation by a Fascist and racist State like Israel that is against international legality, including UN resolutions. This must stop, 2022 must be the year of peace. Hence her appeal for the recognition of the State of Palestine. The twinning between Caltagirone and Bethlehem will certainly be very successful, she concluded.
Senator Fabio Porta (PD), as a PD Member and a Member of the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs took the floor praising the importance of international cooperation and the need to achieve a two-State solution, recalling how close Italy has always been to the Palestinian people.
Councilor Francesco Cappello (5SM) welcomed the initiative and thanked the Ambassador for her striking testimony, from a human point of view, as it shed light on a people’s sufferance, hoping this year will bring peace.
Consequently, the City Council document of solidarity with Palestine was read, voted, commented and unanimously approved by all Members present, from different groups.
– CITY COUNCIL OF CALTAGIRONE – YOU TUBE CHANNEL
21 January – The report shows the second day of the visit to Caltagirone by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Abeer Odeh, and in particular the full meeting with the Mayors of the Municipalities of Calatino, regional and national MPs, which was broadcast live. The meeting was introduced by the Mayor of Caltagirone, who talked about the importance of solidarity among the peoples to achieve peace. He also described the document unanimously voted yesterday by Caltagirone’s City Council in favour of the two-State solution. Finally he said that the purpose of this meeting was to broaden the collaboration with Palestine, insisting on the anthropological resemblance between Sicilian and Palestinian cities as well as on the peculiarities of the municipalities present today. All this regardless of political differences.
The Ambassador expressed her love for Sicily, where she feels at home, also because it resembles a lot Palestine and its people. She also expressed her gratitude for the solidarity she felt so far in her visit. She said she is already investigating on how to expand collaboration, especially in agriculture (grapes and prickly pear in particular), the production of ceramics and other industrial sectors which link Palestinian and Calatino’s cities. While saying all this, the Ambassador informed the audience about her experience as Minister of the Economy. She also reiterated her appeal for the Italian help to achieve the recognition of the State of Palestine to end occupation. In the end, she stressed the importance of tourism in Palestine, which Israel obstacles, both in economic and political terms.
The first who took the floor in the discussion was the Mayor of Militello in Val di Catania, Hon. Giovanni Burtone, former Member of the Italian Parliament (PD). He said that this was for him one of the most emotional days he ever had in his 4 years in office. He recalled the commitment to peace and internationalism of an entire generation. He also described Sicily as a land of dialogue and hospitality. He mentioned Sicily’s and Sicilians’ relations with Libya which were unfortunately interrupted. Now Mayors are trying to restart this process of Mediterranean dialogue, as does the Pope. Catholic democrats, like Sicilian Sturzo, care for peace. Local institutions should take the lead, the Pope cannot be the only one engaged in foreign policy. He added that he is available for this and happy to share facilities, including medical facilities, with other Mediterranean countries. So, he mentioned the story of Syrian boy Mustafa who came to Italy to have the limbs he misses.
The second speaker, Mayor of Mazzarrone, said he was struck by the Ambassador’s request for political rather than economic help. This is a role he would be proud of. However, as a producer of grapes, his city will be happy to collaborate in that sector too.
The Vice Mayor of San Cono particularly liked Mayor Burtone’s overview, which he shares, and expressed his commitment to exchanges with Palestine, particularly on the trade of prickly pears.
The Mayor of San Michele di Ganzaria described this as a “historic day” and the Calatino territory as a place of hospitality and integration even if it is not on the sea. Human values are highly respected here, he said. Indeed, they deserve a medal for good integration practices. He mentioned the question of Sheikh Jarrah (without pronouncing the name) and said how painful it is to see a 9-year-old girl arrested only for colonial reasons. They are already twinned with a German city and would be happy to go ahead with Palestinian cities. A twinning to support the production of San Michele’s olive oil would be great.
The Ambassador concluded the meeting with special thanks to all and particularly to the Mayor of Caltagirone for this very successful initiative.
Mayor Roccuzzo mentioned Calatino’s wish for self-determination and insisted that, even without it, a strong collaboration among all remains crucial.
Seconda giornata della visita a Caltagirone dell’ambasciatrice Diretta Web
Seconda giornata della visita a Caltagirone dell’ambasciatrice Diretta Web
VIVERE CATANIA – CATANIA’S DAILY
21 January, evening – We are moving towards a twinning with Bethlehem and collaborative relationships in the name of ceramics and beyond.
A twinning between Caltagirone and Bethlehem, inspired by the values of friendship between peoples and participation around the themes of the Nativity and Nativity scenes. But also the start of collaborative relationships with the Network of Palestinian ceramic cities such as Hebron and with other realities for the enhancement of agri-food products and for the identification of common cultural and commercial paths. These are the priorities, for Caltagirone and its territory, as it emerged from the visit – which took place between yesterday and today – of Abeer Odeh, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and Permanent Representative to the United Nations agencies FAO, IFAD and WFP since 2019. The Ambassador, who was welcomed yesterday at the Town Hall by the Mayor Fabio Roccuzzo, met the municipal council, then chatted with the press, welcoming the announced twinning with Bethlehem and asking “every possible effort so that the Italian State recognizes the Palestinian State. We must put an end to the occupation – she added – and build an independent Palestinian State”.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of an extraordinary municipal council open to the national and regional deputation and characterized by the speeches of the Ambassador, the Mayor, President Francesco Incarbone (“We need a virtuous path, based on dialogue and solidarity, to achieve peace”), Senator Fabio Porta, Regional deputy Francesco Cappello and the municipal councilors Sergio Gruttadauria, Vincenzo Di Stefano, Pia Giardinelli, Aldo Grimaldi and Greta Bonanno. The Council finally unanimously approved an agenda with which it expresses the hope “that the Italian Parliament and government urgently relaunch a diplomatic action for peace, urging the United Nations, the European Union and the heads of government who care about peace and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, to find a definitive solution, which combines the right of the Palestinians to have their own State, with that of the Israelis to be able to live in security”. The Ambassador also visited the historic center with its main monuments (including the “Luigi Sturzo” Mausoleum) and the Civic Museum at the Bourbon Prison.
This morning, still at the town hall, the meeting with the mayors of Calatino was also held. Among them, the first citizens Giovanni Burtone (Militello), Giovanni Spata (Mazzarrone), Gianluca Petta (San Michele di Ganzaria) and the Deputy Mayor of San Cono Aldo Nitro took part. Everyone stressed the importance of the values of peace and hospitality.
This was followed by a meeting with Bishop Calogero Peri with the Ambassador, who also asked the Church, as she had already done with the municipal institutions, to make every effort “to recognize the Palestinian State”. “Dialogue – said the prelate – represents the real solution to the problem”. In the afternoon, before saying goodbye to Caltagirone, the Ambassador visited a ceramic workshop.
“They were two intense days – underlines Mayor Roccuzzo -, through which, in addition to expressing our convinced closeness to the Palestinian people, we laid the foundations to build processes of peace and mutual sharing, thereby increasing the international dialogue skills of our city. Now, with the involvement of the world of schools, cooperation and associations, but also of businesses, we aim to create cultural and economic exchanges which, starting from the significant twinning with Bethlehem, may go even further “.
