The Legal Committee of the Union of Palestinian Communities and Organizations in Europe condemns the decision issued by the Italian Court of Cassation on October 9, 2026, rejecting the appeals against the continued pretrial detention of Palestinian activists Mohammad Hannoun (64) and Raed Dawood (52), in connection with allegations related to fundraising activities in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The Committee rejects the prosecution of activists for their activities in support of the Palestinian people and condemns the use of counterterrorism legislation and designations to target Palestinian activism and solidarity with the just Palestinian cause.
The investigation involves 25 individuals, four of whom remain in detention, including Mohammad Hannoun and Raed Dawood, following allegations by Italian prosecutors that donations collected to provide humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people were transferred to organizations affiliated with Palestinian political parties. The prosecution based its allegations on documents originating from Israeli intelligence agencies, which the Court of Cassation deemed inadmissible as judicial evidence due to their failure to meet transparency requirements. Nevertheless, the Court rejected the appeals against continued pretrial detention. A preliminary hearing is expected to take place before the end of the year, amid concerns that the defendants could remain in detention for an extended period, potentially until mid-2028.
These prosecutions come at a time when the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip are facing genocide as a result of Israeli aggression, imposing a political and moral responsibility to stand with them and mobilize humanitarian assistance. At a time when these crimes demand intensified relief efforts and solidarity, activists are being prosecuted over fundraising activities intended to support our people. This glaring contradiction reflects an attempt to extend the targeting of Palestinians to those who stand in solidarity with them and defend their rights.
The Committee condemns the prosecutions and political and security pressures targeting Palestinian activism in Italy and across Europe. It warns that this case constitutes a dangerous precedent that could pave the way for the broader criminalization of the activities of Palestinian communities and organizations, threatening their right to organize and engage in political and humanitarian work. The Committee rejects any attempt to associate advocacy for Palestine with terrorism or to use security designations to delegitimize solidarity with our people and the defense of their national rights, foremost among them liberation and self-determination.
Accordingly, the Legal Committee demands the immediate release of Mohammad Hannoun, Raed Dawood, and all others detained in connection with this case, an end to prosecutions targeting legitimate Palestinian activism, and full guarantees of the rights of all individuals subject to investigations and judicial proceedings. The Committee also calls upon human rights organizations, political parties, trade unions, and solidarity movements in Italy and across Europe to take coordinated action to confront this case and prevent it from becoming a precedent used to criminalize Palestinian activism and solidarity with our people.
The Union of Palestinian Communities and Organizations in Europe, through its Legal Committee, reaffirms its political and national responsibility to defend Palestinians and their institutions and to confront the political and legal attacks targeting their organized presence and activities across Europe. The Union reiterates its commitment to joining forces with human rights organizations and solidarity movements to protect Palestinian activism and resist attempts to criminalize it.
Legal Committee-
Union of Palestinian Communities and Organizations in Europe
October 13, 2026
