Circo Massimo - Lo spettacolo della politica

Episode: I raid nei giornali, i ‘moniti’ di Albanese e la democrazia ferita

Host: Massimo Giannini
Date: December 1, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Massimo Giannini examines the escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, and connects these international events with domestic issues in Italy. He reflects on the recent attack on La Stampa's editorial offices in Turin by far-left activists, the problematic rhetoric employed by certain commentators, and the broader implications for Italian democracy and freedom of the press.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The "Banalità del Male" as Contemporary Lens

• Drawing inspiration from Hannah Arendt's concept of “the banality of evil,” Giannini uses it to highlight systematic violence both in the Middle East and in Italy.
• Cites the documentary No Other Land as a raw, direct depiction of Palestinians enduring decades of aggression by settlers and the Israeli army (00:53–02:29).
• Stresses the ongoing nature of the violence despite superficial “truces” and the persistent illusion of peace efforts.

Quote:

“Anche lì c’è una banalità del male. E ora questa banalità ci viene sbattuta in faccia, in un momento nel quale ancora crediamo che lì esista un cessate il fuoco.”
— Massimo Giannini (01:47)

2. Vatican and the Two-State Solution

• Recounts a recent statement from the Pope (the “Pontefice americano”) referencing the Catholic Church’s ongoing support for a two-state solution as the only viable path for peace (02:35–03:18).
• Notes that Israel’s current government remains firmly opposed to this solution, perpetuating the status quo of conflict.

3. Ongoing Violence and Its Justifications

• Updates grim statistics: over 70,000 Palestinian civilian victims in Gaza, ongoing military actions post-“truce.” (03:18–05:30)
• Draws a significant distinction between violence in Gaza (where Hamas is present) and in the West Bank, which is not under Hamas control but still suffers from settler and military action.
• Describes specific assaults on both Palestinians and international activists, including attacks on Italians by Israeli settlers.

Quote:

“Ci sono poveri cristi palestinesi nelle loro baracche, nei loro villaggi, che vengono sistematicamente aggrediti e talvolta anche uccisi dai coloni ebrei.”
— Massimo Giannini (05:04)

4. The Assault on La Stampa: A Wound to Democracy

• Details the raid on La Stampa's offices in Turin by about 100 leftist activists, primarily from Askatasuna (05:40–07:50).
• Notes the slogans (“fuck la stampa”) and the group's demand for the release of an imam who refused to condemn the October 7 attacks.
• Emphasizes that such violence undermines legitimate causes—supporting Palestine in this case—by employing methods contrary to democratic principles.

Quote:

“Chiunque aggredisce, assalta con violenza, commette un odioso crimine contro la democrazia e lascia sulla pelle della democrazia una ferita profonda.”
— Massimo Giannini (07:13)

5. Francesca Albanese’s Controversial “Monito”

• Criticizes UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s reaction to the attack on La Stampa, in which she appeared to “lecture” journalists to report only the truth (07:50–10:25).
• Giannini finds her stance both ideologically rigid and inappropriate, noting that Italian journalists operate under severe constraints, including being barred from on-the-ground reporting in Gaza.
• Reiterates the importance of reporting the reality as best as possible, and not accepting external “lessons” that undermine press integrity or implicitly justify violence.

Quote:

“Ancora una volta questa maestrina con la penna rossa… pretende di insegnare a noi giornalisti come si fa il giornalismo.”
— Massimo Giannini (09:02)

6. The Double Harm: Assaulting the Press, Damaging the Palestinian Cause

• Argues that violent protest against the media does a disservice both to democracy and to the Palestinian cause itself:
  • First, attacking newspapers is an attack on one of democracy’s fundamental pillars.
  • Second, supporting Palestine through violent means only delegitimizes the cause and aids its detractors.

Quote:

“Se chi attacca quel governo lo fa usando una violenza uguale e contraria… la causa palestinese si va a far benedire.”
— Massimo Giannini (08:03)

7. Return to the Banalità del Male & Appeal for Self-Reflection

• Revisits No Other Land and the concept of “banalità del male” to underscore how ordinary actions and attitudes perpetuate deep injustices (10:25–11:55).
• Calls for activists to focus on genuine advocacy rather than symbolic violence, and for Italian society to defend democratic sanctuaries like newsrooms.

Quote:

“Quei cento delinquenti di Askatasuna e dei centri sociali... dovrebbero ragionare e battersi per questo, invece di aggredire un avamposto di democrazia come i giornali.”
— Massimo Giannini (11:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments With Timestamps

• On the persistence of evil:
  “Non voglio fare accostamenti tra la Shoah e quello che sta succedendo… ma basta guardare No Other Land, … anche lì c’è una banalità del male.” (01:12)
• On Israeli policy:
  “Il no di Israele. Quello che sarebbe lo sbocco più naturale, più logico… non si fanno, e forse non si faranno mai, per la banale ragione che Netanyahu… non ne vuole sapere.” (03:33)
• On violence against the press:
  “Un giornale… è un presidio e un patrimonio della democrazia. Chiunque li aggredisce, li assalta con violenza, commette un odioso crimine contro la democrazia…” (07:13)
• On Francesca Albanese:
  “Ancora una volta questa maestrina con la penna rossa… pretende di insegnare a noi giornalisti come si fa il giornalismo.” (09:02)
• Appeal for reflection:
  “Quanto male c’è nel cuore di civili, ebrei, che subito dopo occupano quei terreni per costruirci le loro graziose villette… senza uno straccio di rimorso per i poveri cristi palestinesi ai quali hanno tolto tutto.” (11:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:53–02:29 – Introduction of the “banality of evil” and the context of the documentary No Other Land
• 02:35–03:18 – Pope’s position on two-state solution and Israeli refusal
• 03:18–05:30 – Update on violence in Gaza and West Bank, international activists targeted
• 05:40–07:50 – Attack on La Stampa, motives, and implications
• 07:50–10:25 – Critique of Francesca Albanese’s statements
• 10:25–11:55 – Final reflections, call for defense of press and proper activism

Tone and Language

• The episode maintains a passionate, critical, and sometimes indignant tone.
• Language is vivid, direct, and at times polemical, especially when addressing acts of violence, failures of government, and critiques of other public figures.

Summary

Giannini’s episode is a layered argument against the normalization of violence—whether by states, settler communities, or activists—stressing that such actions undermine both cause and society. He makes a strong case for the defense of press freedom, parliamentary democracy, and responsible activism, appealing for reflection and genuine engagement with the pursuit of justice over the seduction of ideological or performative violence.