Once again European Union is facing backlash from the public after last week’s Barcelona terror attack – where 14 people died being run down by a rented van. The EU elite leaders have no solution for the problem them created – multiculturalism – no matter how much they adopt religious tolerance toward Muslim community, migrants or refugees.
Leaders such as Theresa May and Angela Merkel are still clueless that as multiculturalists, they are feeding Islamic fundamentalism. They fail to realize that Muslims are radicalized by their religion, not the Internet, so May should stop blaming the Internet. After the Barcelona terror attack, Merkel’s controversial open door immigration policy has returned to haunt her.
The German Chancellor faced a barrage of loud protestors during her pre-election tour yesterday. As she stopped to give a speech to crowds of around 4,000 people at Bergisch-Gladbach, Angela Merkel was bombarded by shouts of “get lost” and angry boos, just two days ahead of the second anniversary of Mrs Merkel announcing all Syrian asylum seekers are welcome to remain in Germany.
But not everyone agrees with EU elite leaders such as Theresa May or Angela Merkel. In Italy, the right-wing mayor of Venice is not taking any chances, especially after the Barcelona attack where radical Islamic terrorists have changed their strategy from merely ploughing people with vans or trucks to arming their vehicle with explosive gas cylinders.
Speaking at a conference, Luigi Brugnaro, the Mayor of Venice said the city was safer than Barcelona. He said – “In contrast with Barcelona, where they had not set up protection, we keep our guard up. If anyone runs into St Mark’s Square shouting ‘Allahu Akhbar’, we will take him down. A year ago I said after four steps, now after three. I will say it in Venetian: ‘Ghe Sparemo’ (We will shoot him).”
Mr. Brugnaro was applauded by delegates after the revelation that he has ordered police to shoot anyone who shouts “Allahu Akhbar”, rather than risk a terror attack, although the phrase in Arabic for “God is great” is commonly and harmlessly used by ordinary Muslims during prayers. Well, that’s too bad because the radical Islamic terrorists have just robbed Muslims in Venice of that privilege.
The Mayor of Venice also proudly recalled the arrest in Venice in March of four suspected Kosovan jihadists who allegedly planned to kill hundreds of tourist by blowing up the world famous Rialto Bridge. Luigi Brugnaro said – “They wanted to go to Allah. But we’ll send them straight to Allah before they can do any damage.”
It’s not hard to understand why the mayor is taking such an extreme step, a step which not even badass President Donald Trump, let alone Chancellor Merkel, dares to take. The economy of Venice depends primarily on tourism. Tourism contributed 11.1% of Italy’s GDP for the year 2016. According to Bank of Italy, a whopping 52.7 million foreign tourists stayed overnight in Italy in 2016
Overnight stays last year alone totalled 341 million. Based on the number of overnight stays by foreigners, Venice is second place only to Rome, attracted 33.3 million in 2016. This year, foreign tourism in the country is approaching anew record of €40 billion (US$47.2 billion; £36.8 billion; RM202 billion). Obviously, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro isn’t amused with the prospect of a terror attack after Barcelona.
In fact, Mr. Luigi Brugnaro has taken his fight against Muslims to the next level, proclaiming – “I have never been politically correct, in fact I am politically correct and that’s why we also need a naval blockade against people coming into Italy from north Africa.” But shooting anyone shouting “Allahu Akhbar after three steps” wasn’t the only preventive plans in Italy.
Major tourist sites in Milan, Rome, Bologna and Turin are all stepping up security. Concrete barriers have been installed at famous landmarks across Italy – including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Via del Corso, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Via della Conciliazione and church Basilica of San Petronio that houses a 15th-century fresco which depicts the prophet Muhammad being tortured by devils.
Unlike other EU liberal countries, Italy is serious about combating radicalized Islamic Terrorism and has embarked on a robust anti-terror strategy in recent years. The nation has deployed more than 6,000 troops on the streets, not to mention increased surveillance of the country’s Muslim population and expulsions of non-nationals deemed a security risk.
And unlike Germany, France, United Kingdom and even the United States, the liberals or left-wingers in Italy have little influence when the nation is being threatened by terrorism. Right after Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared his instruction to shoot anyone who shout “Allahu Akhbar”, a fellow left-wing Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, ran up to him laughing and shouting – “Allahu Akhbar!”
Mr. Nardella’s attempt to ridicule Mr. Brugnaro backfired and he had taken to Facebook to apologize for his stunt. Had President Donald Trump declared and instructed cops to shoot anyone who shout “Allahu Akhbar” in the United States, a civil war will immediately break between the so-called liberals or left-wingers with the right-wingers. Not in Italy though.
In fact, when the Barcelona attack happened last week, Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti actually mocked the Spanish government – “I am amazed that a van could have driven undisturbed down La Ramblas in Barcelona. It is strange there were not extra security measures in a site so crowded with tourists and residents.”
– Finance Twitter
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