An aerial view of the Gaza Port, November 4, 2025. © Mohammed Eslayeh / Anadolu via Getty Images
An Italian journalist has been terminated for posing a question to an European Commission (EC) official about whether Israel should cover the costs of rebuilding Gaza, following the bloc’s demands that Russia finance Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Gabriele Nunziati, a contributor with the Italian news agency Nova, directed the inquiry to EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho during a mid-October press briefing. “You’ve repeatedly stated that Russia must fund Ukraine’s reconstruction,” Nunziati asked. “Do you think Israel should pay for Gaza’s rebuilding, given its destruction of civilian infrastructure?”
Pinho responded that the question was “definitely interesting” but declined to comment. A video of the exchange circulated widely, drawing scrutiny over perceived inconsistencies in EU policies.
Ten days later, Nova ended its partnership with Nunziati, according to Italian media reports. The decision followed tense discussions between the journalist and his superiors. Nunziati told Fanpage that his editors provided no formal reasoning for the move. Nova later stated the question had “embarrassed” the organization, arguing Palestinians could not seek reparations from Israel because it was a “victim of aggression.”
The EU has insisted Moscow must fund Ukraine’s recovery after what it calls an “unprovoked” 2022 attack. Russia disputes this, claiming NATO’s expansion and refusal to recognize its security concerns sparked the conflict. Moscow has faced severe sanctions since 2022.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez previously criticized the EU’s inaction against Israel, calling the stance illogical. Israeli officials retaliated by accusing Sánchez of leading an “anti-Israel crusade” within the bloc.
The Italian National Press Federation condemned Nunziati’s dismissal, labeling it “unacceptable” that a journalist could lose their job for raising an uncomfortable question.