Sitting around the same table as the “spiritual conversation between believers of different religions in Italy” organized by Unedi (the National Office for ecumenism and the interreligious dialogue of the CEI) Yassine Baradai and Luca Spizzichino represent two voices of the Muslim and Jewish community present in Italy. Baradai, 38, born in Morocco and in Italy since he was 7 years old, is the secretary general of Ucoii (union of the Islamic communities of Italy). Luca Spizzichino, 30 years old, Roman, is the president of Ugei (Union of young Jews of Italy).
Both live with suffering what happens in the Middle East since 7 October 2023: the Hamas massacre in Israel, the Israeli military response, the suffering of the population in Gaza, the confrontation of the last few days between Israel and Iran. In this context, both Baradai and Spizzichino underline the importance of correct use of words.
“Dialogue is composed of feelings and words,” says Baradai, “and often words divide us, they are bad interpreted and create resentment. Beyond what is happening internationally, sometimes we also use words in our families in a correct way, we should be more careful and stop to reflect while around us everything moves at high speed”.
“From 7 October onwards,” says Spizzichino, “an anti -Semitic wave has started, with an abuse of words such as genocide and apartheid addressed not only towards Israel, but also against Jewish communities, invested by hatred in universities, public spaces and social media, a black hole in which everything is said, without inhibitory brakes. The legitimate criticism of the Israeli government cannot be transformed into slogans that affect all Jews. Words have a weight and can become weapons. Let’s not forget that in Washington, on the cry of ‘Free Palestine’ two young diplomats were killed “.
How to react in the face of the suffering caused by the war and the images that come from Gaza? “These are moments of great anguish,” Baradai replies, “but this anguish must be sedated and fought with faith. Faith, when it is not exploited, is a resource. Religion is often robbed and we must bring back what has been stolen from its origin, at the source, to the virtues that religion requires us to have even in the most difficult moments. Wise and right choices who takes political decisions “.
“We must recognize,” explains Spizzichino, “which is a tragedy. In the face of suffering, we cannot remain indifferent. We recognize that what is happening in Gaza is a huge humanitarian problem that must be solved. But we must not forget the tragedies that the state of Israel has experienced. On October 7, 2023 hatred entered the homes of Israeli families who were probably the closest to the Palestinian population of Gaza. There is empathy with the suffering of the population, but as an Italian Jew it cannot be accused of complicity with the actions of the Israeli government “.
Even Yassine Baradai, who says he is a supporter of the right rights of the Palestinian population, is concerned about the climate of widespread hostility. “I am very worried about my Jewish cousins,” he explains, “and I beat me against anti -Semitism, as Islamophobia must always be fought, which unfortunately I often see some television debates”.
Spizzichino hopes in a future of peace. “It is all in evolution”, ascertained, “the balance of the Middle East are being redesigned. We have seen, with the Abraham agreements, that peace between the Arab countries of the Gulf and North Africa and Israel is possible. Israel can tend to make peace to make peace, but now a new Palestinian leadership is needed both in Gaza and in the territories. If the lighting leaders will emerge”.
