Italy Bans Israel from Prestigious Trade Fair "Fiera del Levante"

The Fiera del Levante, a major international trade fair in Bari, Italy, set for September 13–21, 2025, has barred Israel from participating, following a formal request by Mayor Vito Leccese, who cited the ongoing Gaza War as a moral and political concern. The decision was backed by the Puglia region and Bari’s city council.

About the Fiera del Levante:

Established in 1929, the Fiera del Levante is one of Southern Europe’s largest trade exhibitions, drawing over 200,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors annually from the Mediterranean, South America, and Asia. Its “Galleria delle Nazioni” promotes cultural and economic exchange, but this year’s theme, “Beyond borders, where the East meets the West,” will exclude Israel.

Six weeks ago (July 1, 2025), Mayor Leccese urged the fair’s organizers, Nuova Fiera del Levante, to exclude Israel from all institutional and economic activities, citing the “ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.” The organizers, led by President Gaetano Frulli, confirmed the ban, stating it aligns with “ethical and political views” and is not legally mandated.

They also endorsed a campaign by the Latiano-based foundation L’isola che non c’è to nominate Gaza’s children for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, calling it a “moral appeal” for global peace and children’s rights.

The decision follows a broader regional stance. In May 2025, the Puglia regional council, led by Governor Michele Emiliano, voted to halt commercial cooperation with Israel, and Bari’s city council declared Israel’s presence “unwelcome” at future fairs until it ends its military operations and human rights violations in Gaza. The organizers clarified that no other countries were excluded, as they did not request participation, addressing concerns raised by councilor Michele Laforgia about equating “aggressors and victims.”

Political Reactions:

Italian Senator Maurizio Gasparri of Forza Italia accused Bari’s council of antisemitism, a charge Mayor Leccese called a “grotesque distortion of history.”

Pro-Palestinian groups praised the decision as a stand against human rights abuses, while critics argue it unfairly targets Israel, potentially straining Italy-Israel relations. The fair’s role as a diplomatic platform amplifies the decision’s significance, especially as Italy’s Puglia region becomes the first in Italy to formally cut ties with Israel over Gaza.

Geopolitical Context: The exclusion aligns with growing international pressure on Israel. The European Union has warned that Israel’s planned Gaza City offensive violates international law (France 24), and Germany’s suspension of arms exports reflects broader unease.

Posts on X highlight public anger, with some accusing Italy of complicity in Palestinian suffering despite calls to suspend agreements with Israel. The decision mirrors other boycotts, such as the Royal Ballet and Opera’s cancellation of a 2026 Israel production.

The ban risks economic and diplomatic fallout. Israeli businesses lose access to a key European market, and the move could embolden other institutions to adopt similar measures, amplifying Israel’s isolation. However, it may strengthen pro-Palestinian sentiment in Europe and boost campaigns like the Nobel nomination for Gaza’s children. For Netanyahu, the decision adds pressure to reconsider military escalation, as global backlash grows.

Sources: ANSA, IRNA, ABNA, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, La Bastiglia Web, Puglia Sera, Giornale di Puglia, Camin Vattin, August 2025