FACT CHECK: Was the Palestinian flag hung on Milan Cathedral by the Italian Minister?
A viral video circulating on social media claimed that an Italian Minister hung a Palestinian flag on the Milan Cathedral, which was described as disrespectful. However, this claim is misleading. The person who actually hung the flag was former Green party MP Stefano Apuzzo, not a current minister. Apuzzo’s action was a political statement calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, and recognition of Palestinian statehood. This incident occurred against a backdrop of ongoing tension between Israel and Hamas, including a recent rescue of hostages by Israel from Hamas. The misleading video had gained significant attention online, but factual reporting clarified that the act was carried out by Apuzzo, aiming to draw attention to the Palestinian cause. This was part of broader activities by Apuzzo, who had previously placed Palestinian flags in the Italian legislature as well.
A viral video shared on X claims the Italian Minister purportedly hung a Palestinian flag on the Milan Cathedral.
Liberal Italian Minister hangs Palestinian flag on from the 800 year old Milan Cathedral.
This is an insult and disrespectful. pic.twitter.com/nmmFPVhoqE
— Klaus Arminius (@Klaus_Arminius) June 5, 2024
Verdict: Misleading
According to a June 5 live blog from CNN, former Green party MP Stefano Apuzzo hung the flag on the Milan Cathedral. The live blog features the original clip shared via Apuzzo’s personal Instagram account.
Fact Check:
Israel recently rescued four hostages that were held by Hamas, according to The Associated Press. The hostages were taken from the Nova music festival, the outlet reported.
“Liberal Italian Minister hangs Palestinian flag on from the 800 year old Milan Cathedral,” the X video’s caption reads. “This is an insult and disrespectful,” it continues. The video, viewed over 80,000 times as of writing, shows a man hanging a Palestinian flag from the cathedral.
The claim is false, however. According to a June 5 live blog from CNN, former Green party MP Apuzzo hung the flag on the Milan Cathedral.
“Former Green party MP, Stefano Apuzzo, called for ‘an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, for a stop to the genocide against the Palestinian people,’” the live blog reads in part. “He also urged the Italian government to recognize Palestinian statehood. Last month, Apuzzo hung Palestinian flags at the lower house of the Italian legislature, the Chamber of Deputies,” it further indicates.
The live blog also features the original clip shared via Apuzzo’s personal Instagram account.
“The action intends to reiterate the demand of the peoples, squares and universities of the world for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, to stop the genocide against the Palestinian people and to request the Italian government not to send more weapons to Tel Aviv (Oto Melara, Leonardo), employed for the ongoing massacre and the recognition of the State of Palestine (as already done by several European countries),” Apuzzo said of his decision to hang the flag.
Likewise, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to suggest the Italian Minister hung the flag on the Milan Cathedral. In fact, the opposite is true. Misbar reported the clip showed Apuzzo, not the Italian Minister, via a June 7 article. (RELATED: Does This Video Show A Houthi Strike On U.S. Ship In Red Sea?)
This is not the first time a false claim has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked a social media post that claimed the government of Indonesia is ready to deploy troops to “protect Palestinians from Israel.”
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