In Italy, Francesca Albanese, the UN envoy responsible for the occupied Palestinian territories, is at the centre of a political firestorm.
It erupted following her remarks on the violent November 28 break-in at La Stampa’s Turin headquarters, allegedly carried out by pro-Palestinian protesters.
While she condemned the attack, Albanese also suggested it could serve as “a warning to the press”, implying journalists should “go back to doing their work”.
Her comments have sparked outrage across the political spectrum and put at risk the honorary citizenship she holds in several municipalities, with Bologna emerging as the flashpoint.
At the same time, Albanese has cemented her status as a prominent public figure in Italy, championing the Palestinian cause and criticising how mainstream media cover it.
With the Italian Right fully aligned with Israel and the Left deeply divided, Albanese has carved out a unique space in the public debate — a stance bold enough to provoke accusations of justifying violence, yet one that underscores her growing influence and visibility on the national stage.
The break-in at La Stampa occurred at the margins of a nationwide strike called by trade unions against the government’s financial manoeuvre, widely criticised as “war mongering”.
Albanese joined the protest in Genoa alongside environmental activist Greta Thunberg and economist Yanis Varoufakis, while the assailants broke away from the Turin march to storm La Stampa.
Speaking at Rome Tre University, Albanese said: “I condemn the intrusion into La Stampa. It is necessary that there be justice for what happened to the newsroom.
“We must not commit acts of violence against anyone, but at the same time this should also serve as a warning to the press — to go back to doing its work.”
Critics seized on the final line as an implicit legitimisation of an attack on the media.
Reactions poured in from across Italian politics. On the Right, Luca Ciriani, Minister for Parliamentary Relations, called her remarks “decidedly disconcerting”, adding that implying journalists could bear responsibility is “inconceivable”.
From the Left, Filippo Sensi, senator of the Democratic Party, described the statement as “a monstrosity” stressing “the lessons, no thanks”.
Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione, called Albanese “”one of those figures … of whom the Left will at some point have to be ashamed”, highlighting the symbolic damage of her words.
Locally, Bologna has become the centre of the debate.
Albanese had recently received honorary citizenship there but city councillors now call her statements “incompatible with the values of Bologna”.
Motions to revoke the honour are under discussion and other municipalities are reviewing similar recognitions.
Public anger has also been visible, with a mural of Albanese in Rome recently vandalised.
She has long criticised mainstream media for their coverage of Gaza and global conflicts, arguing that reporting often lacks context and balance.
Despite the controversy, Albanese is increasingly viewed as a rising public figure in Italy, with possible political ambitions.
She has tapped into the strong pro-Palestinian sentiment that has surged in recent years, expressed through huge demonstrations and positioned herself as one of the few voices outside the Right willing to challenge mainstream narratives.
