More than 200 Italian Jews have signed an appeal against “ethnic cleansing” in the Palestinian territories, provoking strong media reaction and dividing the country’s Jewish community, AFP reports.

Writers, academics, philosophers and journalists were among the 220 signatories of the text, which was published in daily newspapers La Repubblica and Il Manifesto.

It claimed that US President Donald Trump “wants to expel Palestinians from Gaza. Meanwhile, in the West Bank the violence of the Israeli government and settlers continues”.

“Italian Jews say no to ethnic cleansing. Italy must not be an accomplice,” they added.

The call aims to “bring out a clear and strong Jewish voice of disapproval”, said the Jewish Antiracist Laboratory, a group of young Jewish-origin Italians which is behind the petition.

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