A conference organized by the anti-Israel Boycott Disinvestment Sanctions (BDS) movement in Rome in the context of the ‘’Israel Apartheid Week’’ was postponed after the Jewish community and the Israeli embassy called for its cancellation.

The conference, entitled "Gaza, we break the siege’’, included the participation of American Ann Wright and of Stefano Fassina, a leftist politician. It was due to have taken place in a room at the Rome City Hall but the authorities finally refused to make the room available.

Noemi Di Segni, President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, had called on Rome mayor, Virginia Raggi, to prohibit the event by stressing that the BDS "is not a movement of opinion but a real anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish hate catalyst.’’ ‘’Every institutional legitimacy to these criminals is thus not only inappropriate, but downright dangerous for the whole of society,’’ she said.

Ruth Dureghello, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, spoke of an "appalling event," stating that:" In Rome there can be no space for anti-Semitic positions or associations who want the destruction of Israel.’’

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Israeli embassy in Rome Dan Haezrachy had pointed the finger at ‘’the inadequacy of the place chosen to host an event supported by an anti-Semitic organization.’’

The president of the Rome Jewish Community of Rome Ruben della Rocca had judged "very serious" than in an institutional site would be hosted "a racist movement like BDS.

In a statement, BDS said: ‘’We are strongly indignant over the unfounded accusations that have been leveled, especially those of racism and anti-Semitism since we are an inclusive movement and in our ranks there are many Jews. We are even more disappointed by the appeasement of a certain Italian Left.’’

Marcello de Vito, President of the Rome City Council, invited three BDS representatives to the City Hall to discuss the cancellation.

Around 20 persons demonstrated on Campidoglio square again the decision to postpone the event.