Municipality of Padova: Motion of solidarity with Francesca Albanese and suspension of agreements with Israel approved

On July 21, 2025, the City Council of Padova approved, with 17 votes in favor and 2 abstentions, a resolution aimed at implementing a series of concrete measures in response to the extremely serious conduct carried out by Israel and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, consolidating its positions previously taken.

The resolution is part of a path of denunciation and civic engagement undertaken by the Municipality of Padova, which included the approval of agenda 10/2025 urging the recognition of the State of Palestine and the end of the illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank by Israel; the condemnation of the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad on October 7, 2023, and the request for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages; the reception and medical care offered to Palestinian children injured in Gaza by the bombings and to refugees; finally, the adherence to symbolic initiatives such as the "50000 sudari per Gaza" campaign and "Cammino per la Pace per le vie di Padova".

This document provides for further actions, including monitoring Israeli commercial activities and the transit of war material in the municipal territory, suspending agreements with companies linked to illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories, continuing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees and promoting awareness-raising initiatives and solidarity with the Palestinian people, as well as demonstrating support for Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, recently sanctioned by the United States in an unacceptable act of intimidation, through the conferment of the city seal by the Mayor of Padua.

Below we report the full text of the resolution outlining the measures just described:

"[...]

All this considered,

IT IS PROPOSED

That this administration, for the reasons set forth above and within the limits of its competences:

1) carry out a survey of all promotional activities, commercial exchanges, and mere international relevance that the State of Israel, subject to recall for its conduct by the International Court of Justice, conducts on the municipal territory;

2) carry out a survey of all activities that may cross or affect the city of Padova relating to the transfer of weapons or components, military technologies, and military services to or in connection with Israel;

3) refrain from concluding and proceed to suspend any possible economic and commercial agreement or of any other nature with companies and institutions coming from illegal colonies, or that have any type of interest in them;

4) continue to guarantee adequate health and humanitarian reception to Palestinian refugees fleeing the conflict and encourage cooperation with health facilities in the occupied territory, primarily in the Gaza Strip;

5) provide to express in the most appropriate forms and ways and within the limits of its competences every form of support and solidarity to the Palestinian people and the condemnation of Israeli criminal conduct, for example:

• paying particular attention to the request for granting patronage to activities referred to in points 1) and 2); even if financed or supported by the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli government, or its official emanations;
• displaying in institutional buildings posters, banners, or graphics in support of the ceasefire and against apartheid and international crimes;
• organizing, promoting, and participating in events and round tables to support the ceasefire and respect for ICJ ordinances and opinions, UN General Assembly recommendations;
• supporting all forms of cooperation with Palestinian civil society organizations and Palestinian cultural institutions present in the Occupied Territory and encouraging relations with similar Palestinian territorial entities in the Occupied Territory;
• supporting the work of human rights defenders and Israeli and Palestinian associations and networks that promote respect for human rights and international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

6) activate itself in the institutional coordination venues (CAL, Unified Conference, etc.) and administrative, as well as through its representative associations (ANCI), to ensure that compliance with the aforementioned international obligations is also ensured at the state level, European Union and other supranational organizations of which Italy is a member;

7) Urge diplomatic actions by our Government in close collaboration with the European Union for the ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the construction of a just and lasting peace in the perspective of two peoples and two states;

8) express its support and solidarity to Dr. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, through the conferment by the Mayor of the city seal, for her strenuous work in defense of human rights in Palestine, Peace, and international cooperation."