A statement issued by the Conflict Resolution Center on the crime of killing the Italian solidarity activist Vittorio Arrigoni

A black day in the history of our cause. A statement issued by the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution on the crime of the killing of the Italian solidarity activist Vittorio Arrigoni. We were all stunned by the crime of the killing of the Italian solidarity activist Vittorio Arrigoni in Gaza this morning, Friday 15/4/2011. This crime, which shook us to our depths, marks a black day in the history of our cause, and marks as well an attempt to kill any solidarity by the free people of the world with our people and their cause. This is a shameful crime that in no way reflects the morals, values and principles of our people; rather it reflects ignorance, backwardness and an absence of humanity among a small number who toy with the interests of Palestinians for a narrow vision they have embraced, or out of a foolish naivety that has been exploited. Vittorio was a real treasure in support of the Palestinians. He believed in their cause, sided with its justice and sacrificed for its sake, which angered the occupation, which barred him and hounded him and has today benefited from the crime of his killing. From the depths of our hearts we offer our condolences to the family of Vittorio Arrigoni, to his friends and to the Italian people, and we console ourselves, since Vittorio through his solidarity and his belonging had become one of us. We also say to all those in solidarity, Arabs and foreigners, that this painful incident is an exception, and that the answer to those who planned, plotted and carried it out is the continuation of solidarity with the Palestinian people, out of love for Vittorio and loyalty to him. The Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution 15-4-2011