Italian police used their truncheons to beat back Young Palestinians protesting Thursday outside the Bologna studios of Rai state broadcaster against a recent pro-Israel statement by its CEO after singer Ghali called for an end to alleged "genocide" in Gaza at the Sanremo song fest.
The furor erupted over the weekend after Ghali's appeal angered Israel's Ambassador to Italy Alon Bar, who said that the festival had been used to spread hate.
This led to a statement by being read out by veteran TV presenter Mara Venier on Sunday on a show by Rai, which screens Sanremo, written by CEO Roberto Sergio that referred to the atrocities committed in the October 7 attacks and the plight of the hostages taken by Hamas.
The statement was accused of making no reference to the suffering of Palestinians.
Tensions ran high outside the Bologna regional offices of RaiThursday after the Young Palestinians said they had received no assurances that a statement on Gaza by them would be read out in its entirety.
The protesters rushed to police who beat them back with their batons and shields.
There were no initial reports of injuries.
Five police and five demonstrators were hurt at a similar protest in Naples on Tuesday.
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