Mohammad Hannoun

2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla Mohamed Hannoun and his charity, the Palestinian Association in Italy, worked with the Turkish nonprofit IHH to fund the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla Global Sumud Flotilla Hannoun supported the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla, which had boats set sail for Gaza from Genoa. == 2024 Sanremo Music Festival ==

At the 2024 Sanremo Music Festival, an on-stage plea by one of the performers, Italian-Tunisian rapper Ghali, sparked controversy after the rapper pled on stage to “stop the genocide” in (Gaza). Mohammed Hannoun thanked Ghali for “his clear words against the extermination"; Ghali's remarks were condemned by the Israeli ambassador to Italy. == United States and Italian sanctions ==

In 2000, Hannoun was investigated by the Italian government, but the investigation was closed without action. In November 2024, the government of Milan barred Hannoun from entering the city for several months due to comments he made praising the November 2024 Amsterdam riots. A year later, Hannoun received a second travel ban from Milan for making statements interpreted as supportive of violence against Palestinians accused of collaboration. == 2025 December arrest ==

Hannoun was arrested on December 27, 2025, with eight others on charges of financing Hamas. According to authorities, the defendants had sent millions of euros directly to Hamas members or to organizations banned by Israel due to their links to Hamas. They also referred to Hannoun as the leader of Hamas in Italy. Hannoun's lawyers have said that "the charges against our client were fabricated by Israel". The charges were criticized in CounterPunch as an attempt to criminalize sending aid to Gaza and suppress pro-Palestine solidarity in Italy. In January 2026, three of Hannoun's co-defendants were released. In April 2026, the Supreme Court of Cassation upheld the decision to release them and ordered the Court of Review to decide whether to release the remaining defendants. The Court also decided that evidence submitted by Israel was inadmissible. == Personal life ==

Mohammad Hannoun has a wife and two children. ==References==