“Words matter,” says one of the most hyperbolic quotes in the history of Italian cinema. And this is even more so when those who pronounce them are people with proven authority and in leading positions. And even more so when these people use them on television, which is still the most powerful medium.

Slip

Speaking on the “Otto e Mezzo” program hosted by Lilli Gruber, Elena Basile, who had a long diplomatic career despite never being promoted to the rank of ambassador, as stated in the note of the Italian Diplomats Association, was caught by his words. Commenting on a remark from White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby that the number of Americans kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks would be small, Basile said what was probably the first thing that came to his mind without filters: “It’s a shame because there are actually a lot of Americans “If there were hostages, the United States could mediate,” he said. Don in the studio, as they say in these cases, and a lesson from Aldo Cazzullo.

No, Basile is not the new Orsini

It’s unfortunate because Basile also said some very important things during his speeches; There is no point in talking about wars, for example, by highlighting the atrocities of one side or the other, because you run the risk of merely playing into the hands of opposition propaganda. To support his theses, he brought context and historical references of indisputable value that are fundamental to understanding the origins of this latest crisis in the Middle East.

And no, Elena Basile is not the new Alessandro Orsini, as it might be read with some simplifications; not in terms of the level of arguments, and above all because of a feature that makes him completely different from the egocentric academic: he never pronounces the word “I”. And the level of discussions regarding the ongoing conflict makes us want to give half of Italy to the Israelis and the other half to the Palestinians, except for large islands that can be transferred to Russia and Ukraine. For Donbass and half of Crimea, it causes a certain discomfort to hear a voice like his say things that any Beppe Grillo could say.

Words matter, especially when talking about a conflict that has its roots in the Nakba; a conflict that periodically flared up again and rivers of blood flowed from both sides of the barricade. Elena Basile caught his words and immediately understood, apologizing for giving too much space to emotion. This is no small thing these days.