ROME, 22 Sept. - (ANA) - Authorities in Italy have barred Israel's participation in an international tourism fair in Rimini, as calls to boycott Israel over its brutal war on Gaza grow.

 

The mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad, and the head of the Emilia-Romagna region, Michele De Pascale, both urged the organisers of the TTG Travel Experience 2025 to remove Israel.

 

"We really don't think that today it is ethically and morally acceptable to propose as holiday destinations places of war, terror, and death," the two said.

 

Exhibition organiser Italian Exhibition Group later confirmed that Israel would no longer participate as their presence at the fair was "morally and professionally inappropriate," according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

 

Israel's ambassador to Italy slammed the decision, being quoted by Israel's I12 News as saying the move was "another intrusion by political ideology that exploits every opportunity to use attacks against Israel for electoral propaganda purposes."

 

The exhibition is set to be held in the city of Rimini between 8 and 10 October.

 

The move to boycott Israel from the exhibition comes amid a growing global backlash at the country over its war on Gaza, which is increasingly being described as a genocide, including by a UN commission on Tuesday.

 

Several boycotts have gained traction in recent months, with calls to suspend Israel's participation from various sporting bodies, international competitions, and boycotts on Israeli industries.

 

Included are initiatives to suspend Israel's participation from the European football association UEFA, as well as FIFA.

 

An artists' boycott has seen high-profile figures in the film industry boycott Israeli cinema, with musician announcing their participation in a cultural boycott of Israel. The boycott has also extended to music streaming giant Spotify.

 

An attempt to boycott Israel's participation in Eurovision is also underway, with Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands saying they won't take part unless Israel was barred from the competition.    - (ANA) - 

 

 

AB/ANA/22 September 2025 - - -