News Paper Interview with Hod Ben-Zvi in San Marino

A journalist from San Marino, our AFP, who went to Israel for the MEPI last year in May, asked for an interview with Hod Ben Zvi, national leader for Israel. The interview was published in the newspaer San Marino Oggi on July 18. The article includes a section with the activities that San Marino UPF did in the Middle East. Giorgio Gasperoni, national leader for San Marino.

D ear Mr. Franco Cavalli, Warm greetings from Jerusalem. At the request of our dear friend Mr. Giorgio Gasperoni, I would like to grant the “SAN MARINO patriot and a peace advocate, I’m in constant prayer for the safety of not only my own children, but also all people from both sides. Q: You have been since long time committed to OGGI” this exclusive interview, responding to your promoting dialog and peace between Israelis and questions below: Palestinians; you did accompany also around Italy and San Marino groups of youths. What should be Q: Every day we get news of clashes and firing done to promote a cease-fire? rockets and mortars with victims among the civilian population. What is the situation for those who live A: Even during this testing times we are having in Jerusalem and in other cities? There are difficulties another youth group coming mainly from Europe, and limitations in everyday life? The country remains doing volunteer work in local villages, promoting open to visitors or tourism, which is an important harmony and friendship among Jews, Christians, source, even for the Palestinians, has already Moslems and Druze. We also hold interfaith prayers suffered setbacks? and fasts to call for Heaven’s intervention for peace and reconciliation. It is true that cease fire is A: Jerusalem has suffered just a few missile attacks something that can be implemented by armies and without any significant harm. The story is different governments, however our role as civil society is to for the rest of Israel. The towns and villages closest to promote resilience and restraint as to allow the Gaza in the south have been most heavily targeted decision makers operate without panic and withstand with constant rocketing day and night. The towns and extremist’s pressure. cities further north like Ashkelon and Ashdod were also rather severely attacked with mostly damages to Q: What role can or could play on the international assets but also wounded people and for the first time community to support the peace process? And what today also a mortal casualty. role do you think might have a small country like San Marino? No doubt that in the areas that were directly attacked, life is challenging and people are on A: I believe that the international community can constant alert to run and take shelter any moment, take much more subjective role in helping to attain day or night. However due to the effective role of cease-fire. Solutions are not easy for this long conflict “Iron Dome” and the safety regulation, they try to however, a combination of demilitarizing Gaza keep daily life routine as much as possible. coupled with massive civilian aid will transform the future of Gaza into a normal society as most of its Obviously tourism is effected, however there are inhabitants hope for. The massive financing of terror those who didn’t cancel their visit and keep their organizations who care less about the lives of the plans intact. common people on both sides, must be stopped. If Q: You have two sons serving in the military as a lever the international community is really serious about in Israel takes three years for males. As a parent, how the situation, they can do a lot to help. is it to live these moments? The Republic of San Marino can certainly play a role, A: My two daughters and elder son have already by raising the conscience voice in Europe, calling for completed their service, now only my youngest son is brave positive intervention, rather than the usual on the front line in the South. My daughter was in the rhetoric of the blame game by ether sides. battle field during operation Pillar of Defense (Pillar Yours sincerely of Cloud) on Nov. which was rather fierce and traumatic. This time Operation Protective Edge Hod Ben Zvi seems so far as a Déjà vu. As a parent who is both a President UPF Israel