ROME – Standing tall against antisemitic hatred

“We will return to the square. We will speak again.” Stefano Parisi, president of the Setteottobre (October 7) association, made this pledge while concluding the national demonstration “For our freedom. Heads Up with the Jews,” which took place in Piazza Santi Apostoli in Rome on October 23. Despite the inclement weather, about 2,000 people participated in the event. “For two years, we have tolerated anti-Semitic rallies. We should have stood tall and encouraged Jews to leave their homes wearing their symbols,” Parisi said. He emphasized that the defense of Jews “is a universal value” while denouncing Hamas’ infiltration into the depths of Italian society, including the media.

Representatives of Jewish institutions, political groups, youth organizations, associations, journalists, and influencers took part in the demonstration and shared a sense of alarm. Noemi Di Segni, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, highlighted that “we cannot free those held hostage in the tunnels of ignorance, exploitation, or apparent political and economic advantages.” “Selective communication media” is the main cause of the “aggravation of the flattening of individuals,” she added.

Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, remarked that “antisemitism now presents itself with partially new words, although its criminal intentions remain the same. “Today, it masquerades as anti-Zionism, hides behind the mask of solidarity, and uses the language of rights to deny a fundamental right: the right of the State of Israel to exist.” “I am Italian, I am Jewish, and I am a proud Zionist. There are many of us, and we need you all,” said Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan. Chief Rabbi of Rome Riccardo Di Segni said that the “genocide” in Gaza “is an old story and defamatory accusation which is now being served on a golden plate, uncontestable.” He also noted a persistent mystification spreading on many levels, beginning with the notion that the Holocaust and the Nakba are equivalent. Among the politicians who expressed solidarity were Giovanni Donzelli (Brothers of Italy) and Pina Picierno, vice president of the European Parliament and a member of the Democratic Party. Picierno expressed her disappointment in not seeing her own party among the supporters of the demonstrations. “I hail from a political culture and history nurtured by Elie Wiesel, Giorgio Napolitano, and Liliana Segre.”