Khaled Osaily. خالد العسيلي رئيس بلدية الخيل السابق خالد العسيلي
A delegation representing Salerno Province (Italy) visited Hebron today accompanied by the Palestinian Ambassador in Rome Mr. Sabri Attiyah and the Palestinian Consul Mr. Hani Jaber. The delegation comprised the head of the Federation of Salerno Municipalities and mayor of Ercolano, Mr. Daniele, the mayor of Frio Mr. Franco Regini as well as a number of mayors and members of municipal councils and representatives from various Italian institutions.
The meeting started by a detailed presentation given by mayor Osaily on humanitarian conditions in the Old City. Osaily touched on events in the city since the Israeli occupation started 42 years ago, with special emphasis on the massacre committed in 1994 against Moslem worshippers in Al Ibrahimi Mosque, and the measures taken in its aftermath to punish Palestinians including the closure of numerous streets and areas and the forced division of the Mosque, which he considers to be a purely Moslem holy site that neither occupation authorities nor any other body has the right to divide or to transform into a synagogue. Osaily spoke about the closure of Al Shuhada (Martyrs) Street which constitutes yet another crime against Palestinians in addition to daily aggressions by settlers against the unarmed local population. An international effort is needed to protect Palestinians and to exert pressure on Unesco which is also punishing Palestinians by not accepting to add Hebron on the World Heritage List because it is a city under occupation and Unesco does not accept to inscribe on that list cities which are still under occupation.
“Palestinians are a peace-loving people and we aspire to peace based on international resolutions. The world must seize the opportunity present today thanks to the leadership of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad who both consider peace as a strategic option for the region”, he added. Osaily affirmed that Palestinians are resolved to achieve development and growth in their cities despite the de-facto situation, Israeli measures and obstacles in their Territories. He touched on the many projects implemented in Hebron and of the qualitative leap witnessed by the city’s various sectors and services. He also spoke about the tight relations between Palestinians and Italians, the great cooperation between institutions in both countries and joint projects and twinning agreements between Hebron and a number of Italian cities.
Mr. Mouw’awiya Al Kawasmi took the floor to say that Hebron has made a huge qualitative leap over the past three years since mayor Osaily took office. Mayor Osaily succeeded, through a management style similar to that of the private sector, to ensure a qualitative leap in the city. He has put aside his personal economic interests for the sake of Hebron and its inhabitants, he added.
Mr. Daniele thanked Hebron municipality and the Palestinian people for this warm welcome and the excellent relations with the Italians. Speaking about conditions in Hebron and in the Palestinian Territories, He said that “we shall do our utmost possible to support Palestinians to that they obtain their legitimate rights. What I have seen in Hebron is great suffering and this oppression witnessed by Palestinians must end. We express our full and endless support of Palestinians and of their cause. We are surprised to see Palestinians’ unwavering steadfastness and how they made these great accomplishments despite their dire reality. In addition to moral and financial support we shall provide political support by pressuring the Italian government and the EU to support Palestinians and their rights in international fora. We shall mobilize Italian mayors as well as mayors from Mediterranean cities to support your demands to inscribe Hebron on the World Heritage List”, he added.
At the end of the meeting, Daniele invite mayor Osaily to visit Salerno province in order to enhance joint cooperation between both parties.
