Ceremonies with Palestinian and Italian flags. Prayer vigil in the square of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The organization of Arrigoni (International Solidarity Movement) is still in Gaza.

Gaza (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Dozens of young Palestinians and peace activists organized until late at night protest marches of mourning to remember the activist Vittorio Arrigoni, the Italian found murdered yesterday in the Gaza Strip. In Gaza, the event took place in Jundi square, where young people gathered carrying Palestinian and Italian flags, with large photos of Arrigoni. Other manifestations of mourning and prayers were held in the West Bank and Bethlehem, on Nativity square.

Arrigoni, 36, a pro-Palestinian activist, had been in Gaza since 2008 and was known by the whole population. His body was found tortured and hanged yesterday, just hours before the dissemination of a video showing him, in which Salafists asked Hamas to release group members in exchange for the release of Arrigoni.

Ihab al - Ghoussein, spokesman for the Hamas interior ministry, expressed condemnation of the execution, " a heinous crime that does not reflect our values, our religion, our customs and traditions" and vowed to bring to justice the Salafist groups guilty of the murder.

The Salafist groups in Gaza declare their innocence. The death of Arrigoni, said Iyad ash-Shami, a leader, "has nothing to do with Islam." It could have been caused by "any government or state in the world." He adds: "It is the natural result of government policy [of Hamas] against the Salafis."

The Salafist groups in Gaza countseveral hundred members. Since 2007, Hamas - which governs the Gaza Strip - has established a tough policy toward the Palestinian movement who accuse them of being too weak towards Israel and holding back on the imposition of Islamic law in the area.

In August 2009 a Salafist group in Gaza announced the creation of an "Islamic emirate", but Hamas forces destroyed the cell in a raid killing at least 24 members.

The organization to which Arrigoni belonged, International Solidarity Movement, said that for now, its members will remain in Gaza.

 

Photo: Maan

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• salafist
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• mourning