Vittorio Arrigoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vittorio Arrigoni
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| Born | 4 February 1975 Besana in Brianza, Italy
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| Died | 15 April 2011 (aged 36) Gaza Strip, Palestine
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| Cause of death | Murdered by al-Qaeda affiliates |
| Nationality | Italian |
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| Movement | International Solidarity Movement |
Vittorio Arrigoni (born 4 February 1975 – died 15 April 2011) was an Italian journalist and activist. He worked with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). This group supports the rights of Palestinians. He arrived in the Gaza Strip in 2008 with the ISM.
Vittorio had a website called Guerrilla Radio. He also wrote a book about his time in Gaza City. This book covered the 2008–2009 conflict between Hamas and Israel. In 2011, a group of extremists kidnapped and killed him. The government in Gaza, led by Hamas, found the people responsible. They were identified as being connected to al-Qaeda. Vittorio Arrigoni was the first foreign person to be kidnapped in Gaza since a British journalist named Alan Johnston in 2007.
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About Vittorio Arrigoni's Life
Vittorio Arrigoni was born on 4 February 1975. His hometown was Besana in Brianza, near Monza, Italy. He often said that fighting for freedom was important to him. His grandfathers had fought against the old fascist government in Italy. He even had the Arabic word for "resistance" (muqawama) tattooed on his arm.
After finishing high school, Vittorio left his village of Bulciago. He started volunteering around the world. He worked in places like Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2002, he visited Jerusalem. His mother, Egidia Beretta, who is the mayor of Bulciago, said this trip changed him. She said it was when he realized his work would be focused there.
Vittorio's Work as an Activist
Vittorio Arrigoni helped restart the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). This group supports Palestinians and works in the Palestinian territories. In August 2008, he joined the "Free Gaza" mission. This mission aimed to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. The blockade had been in place since June 2007.
Vittorio was on the first boat that reached the Port of Gaza. He described this moment as one of the happiest in his life. In September 2008, he acted as a "human shield" for a Palestinian fisherman. He was injured by glass when the Israeli Navy used a water cannon. Later, in November, Israeli authorities arrested him. This happened after he again acted as a human shield for fishermen.
He went back to Gaza before a big Israeli military action. This action, called Operation Cast Lead, happened from December 2008 to January 2009. Vittorio was one of the few foreign journalists in Gaza during this time. He reported for Radio Popolare and the Italian newspaper Il manifesto. He later wrote a book called Restiamo umani, which means Gaza, Stay Human. It was a collection of his reports from Gaza. The book has been translated into several languages.
Vittorio's Beliefs and Views
Vittorio Arrigoni was known for his strong support of the Palestinian cause. He believed deeply in their rights.
He also spoke out against some Muslim extremist groups. He felt they were trying to force a strict version of Islam in Gaza. In an interview, he said he did not like Hamas. He believed they had limited human rights since they won the elections.
On his website, Guerrilla Radio, and his Facebook page, Vittorio shared his views. He called the Israeli blockade on Gaza "criminal" and "villainous." He also described the government of Israel as one of the worst "apartheid regimes" in the world.
Kidnapping and Death
Vittorio Arrigoni was kidnapped on 14 April 2011. A group posted a video on YouTube. They called themselves "The Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammed bin Muslima." The kidnappers demanded that their leader, Hisham Al-Saedni, be released. He was the head of a local al-Qaeda group in Gaza. The kidnappers accused Vittorio of "spreading corruption." They also called his home country, Italy, an "infidel state."
For reasons that are not clear, the kidnappers killed Vittorio before their deadline passed. His body was found in an empty apartment in northern Gaza. Hamas security forces found his body after being led to the house by a member of the suspected group.
The Prime Minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniya, ordered an investigation. He also called Vittorio's mother to offer his condolences.
Finding Those Responsible
Hamas police started searching for the people involved in the murder. They blocked off parts of the Gaza Strip during their search.
Four extremists were caught and charged with Vittorio's kidnapping and murder. Mahmoud al-Salfiti and Tamer al-Hasana were sentenced to life in prison. Khader Jram received a 10-year sentence. Amer Abu Ghouleh was given one year for hiding the fugitives. Later, in 2013, the sentences for Salfiti and al-Hasana were reduced to 15 years.
In June 2015, Mahmoud al-Salfiti escaped from Gaza while on a leave from prison. He went to Iraq and joined ISIS. Reports say he was killed fighting for ISIS in November 2015.
Reactions to Vittorio's Death
Many people in Gaza gathered to mourn Vittorio Arrigoni. Several hundred Gazans rallied in the Unknown Soldier's Square. About 100 Palestinians and international supporters marched in Ramallah. They went to a house of mourning in nearby al-Bireh in the West Bank. In Bethlehem, people held a candlelight vigil outside the Church of the Nativity. Egyptian authorities allowed Vittorio's family to enter Gaza. They also helped send his body back to Italy.
See also
In Spanish: Vittorio Arrigoni para niños
