Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi put forth his proposal to combat Islamic State Tuesday, which includes $1.06 billion toward increased security and the same amount toward increased culture.
Renzi’s plan is a direct response to the Nov. 13 terror attacks in Paris and are a way to counter ISIS’ agenda to demolish Western culture.
“What happened in Paris signaled a step-up in the cultural battle we are living,” Renzi told reporters in Rome. “They imagine terror, we answer with culture. They destroy statues, we love art. They destroy books, we are the country of libraries.”
The money will go toward troubled suburbs where Italian teenagers and immigrants get in repeated clashes. Every 18 year old will also get a culture card worth 500 euros that can be spent on theaters, museums and art galleries.
“They want terror, we respond with culture that is stronger than ignorance,” Renzi told reporters. “We will never change our way of life, our identity, and surrender before them.”
The other half will be spent on increasing the country’s national security. Italy is one of the counties where those from Africa arrive in large numbers. Italian authorities have made several key arrests, including members of ISIS, but need more resources to keep Italy’s borders intact. (RELATED: Italy Arrests ISIS Terrorist Disguised As Refugee)
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