Vittorio Arrigoni

15/04/14: On 3rd anniversary of Vittorio Arrigoni’s death, SFP remembers and honours him

Today marks the 3rd anniversary or Vittorio Arrigoni’s death in Gaza. Hisham Jamjoum, SFP Steering Committee member and friend of Vittorio, shares his memories of him with us:

Be a man, two words may hear them in the ethics or morality, may we read in some articles and books, but in fact the two words that were the principle of life and a encompassed by the fighter for the freedom of Palestine. This fighter paid with his life for the security of the Palestinian people, fighting through the popular resistance. He witnessed the Occupation in the cities of Nablus, Tulkarm and Ramallah. But also in the villages: Budrus; Biddu; and Beit Surik.  And he saw the Gaza Strip, showing the people his humanity.

Today marks the third anniversary of the death of a man, and a brother and son, dear to my heart and the hearts of many Palestinians who knew him. Vittorio understood the word, loving, helping people and being a strong believer in justice and the Palestinian cause. Elderly women loved him. He did hard work helping people wherever they were. In addition, he was a journalist, getting the message out about the Palestinian cause and the injustice the people suffered.

This man, who we lost 3 years ago to the hands and forces of darkness and criminality in the Gaza Strip, our beloved activist who we will not forget as long as I live, let his name echo in the skies of Palestine and the world, that he, Vittorio Arrigoni, has God’s mercy.

كن انسانا,كلمتان قد نسمعهما في أداب الأخلاق أو قد نقرأها في بعض المقالات والكتب, لكنها في الواقع هما كلمتان كانتا مبدأ حياة وبوصلة طريق لمناضل من أجل حرية فلسطين,هذا المناضل اللذي كلفته حياته ثمنا لما أمن به بحرية الشعب الفلسطيني عن طريق القاومه الشعبيه,فشهدت له مدن نابلس وطولكرم ورام الله.وقرى الزاويه ومسحه وبدرس وبدو وبيت سوريك كما شهد قطاع غزه لهذا الانسان في انسانيته.يصادف اليوم الذكرى الثالثه لاستشهاد انسان وأخ وابن عزيز على قلبي وقلوب الكثير من الفلسطينيين اللذين عرفوه انسانا بمعنى الكلمه,محبا لمساعدة الناس ومؤمنا بعدالة قضيتنا الفلسطينيه,فكم من امرأه مسنه دعت له بالخير لما كان يقوم به من عمل دؤوب في مساعدة الناس اينما تواجدوا,اضافة الى كتاباته كصحفي عن القضيه الفلسطينيه وعدالتها,هذا الانسان اللذي استشهد قبل 3 سنوات على يد قوى الظلام والاجرام في قطاع غزه الحبيب هو الناشط اللذي لن انساه ما دمت حيا اسمه دوى في سماء فلسطين والعالم انه فيتوريو أريغوني رحمه الله

Vittorio was a tireless supporter of Palestine and volunteered with the International Solidarity Movement and on the siege-busting boats to Gaza. He had been living in Gaza for a number of years prior to his kidnapping and eventual killing.

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16/03/14: SFP honours Rachel Corrie

On the 11th anniversary of Rachel Corries’ murder by the Israeli Army, SFP honoured Rachel, Tom Hurndall and Vittorio Arrigoni for their solidarity and support of the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom.

Activists created a short film showing photos of Rachel, Tom and Vittorio and watched a video of 10 year old Rachel as she spoke about her desire to eradicate poverty. Dr Yousef Abdul Haq and Wael Faqeeh, both SFP founders and members of the Tanweer Centre in Nablus, which kindly hosted the event, spoke about their admiration for the solidarity provided by all internationals. They also paid tribute to all the martyrs of the freedom struggle, and the event was attended by the wife and brother of Bilal Najjar, murdered in 1984 by Israel while in prison.

The activists then marched to the centre of Nablus and lit candles, creating Rachel’s name in lights. Several activists spoke to the crowd and thanked Rachel and other international solidarity activists, some having sadly been murdered for standing with the Palestinian people against Apartheid Israel.

Rachel, an American citizen, was murdered on 16 March 2003 when an Israeli bulldozer ran over her while she attempted to prevent it demolishing the home of a doctor in Rafah, Gaza. The bulldozer then reversed over Rachel still with the blade down despite cries from others present to the driver. The driver and the Army have still not been held accountable for her death.

Tom Hurndall, from the UK, was shot by an Israeli sniper on 11 April 2003, while he rescued Palestinian children trapped by the gunfire from the Army. Tom died 9 months later on 21 January 2004. The Druze soldier who shot Tom was charged with manslaughter but released after serving a short sentence.

Vittorio was murdered after being kidnapped in the Gaza Strip by alleged Salafist. They murdered Vittorio on 15 April 2011.

All were members of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).

Rachel, Tom and Vittorio all joined the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. SFP asks all people around the world to also join the struggle and continue the work of Rachel and all the other martyrs by abiding by the Palestinian request for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Apartheid Israel. To find out how to boycott and join the campaign please click here.