ROME (Palestine Foundation Information Center) The organization Europeans for Jerusalem welcomed the judicial decision issued by the Rome Court, which demands that the Italian television station “Rai” apologize and declare that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel. This welcome came after the Rome Court issued a ruling on Thursday, November 21, 2024, against Italy’s Rai Radio and Television, requiring it to apologize for misinformation regarding the legal status of occupied Jerusalem that was presented during an episode of the quiz show “L’Eredità.”
The organization said that the Rome Court’s decision aligns with historical facts and United Nations resolutions that affirm Jerusalem is an occupied city. Therefore, the de facto measures imposed by the occupation in the city do not alter the established historical facts that Jerusalem is an occupied Palestinian city.
It urged all international media to adhere to professional standards and not to succumb to Israeli propaganda, but rather to convey the facts as they are. Media should work to present the true picture of the suffering of Palestinians and the attempts to impose the status quo on Islamic and Christian holy sites in the occupied city, as well as the policies of destruction, home seizure, and forced displacement of residents aimed at changing the demographic reality in the city.
The Palestinian Advocacy Charity and the Palestinian Community in Italy had filed a lawsuit against the Italian television after a contestant asked about the capital of Israel, to which the show host responded that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Dr. Mohamed Hanoon, president of the Palestinian Community in Italy, told the EPAL Center: “We filed a lawsuit against the Italian television following this erroneous information, which contradicts the legal status of occupied Jerusalem, and Italy does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” Hanoon pointed out that the Rome Court ruled that the statements made by the Italian television were incorrect, ordered it to pay legal costs and compensation, and mandated an apology in the next episode of the program, stating that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel.
