MIFTAH would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family of Vittorio Arrigoni, the young Italian supporter of Palestine who was brutally murdered in Gaza City on April 15 at the hands of extremist elements. Our organization strongly condemns the killing and calls on responsible parties in Gaza to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Arrigoni was kidnapped on April 14 by a radical Islamic Salafist group who demanded that their leader, imprisoned by Hamas authorities be released. Hamas police found Arrigoni’s body on April 15 in an abandoned house, hung and beaten.

MIFTAH is appalled by the killing and the obvious moral degeneration of certain elements of Palestinian society. Such heinous acts are completely rejected by the people who believe in the sanctity of human life. Arrigoni, whose blog always ended with the words, “Stay Human” ultimately died at the hands of those who did not share the same value. It is now our duty to honor him by not allowing a place for such radical and murderous elements in our society.

MIFTAH calls on all Palestinians to ensure that such criminal groups be shunned and held accountable for their acts. It is our duty to preserve the moral fabric of our society, something which we have long prided ourselves on. The killing of Vittorio Arrigoni is a tragic red flag we must heed if we are to demand international recognition as a democratic and peaceful nation.