Editorial: Some Empty Bottle, Many Bottles Emptied

A video is circulating on Facebook in which a young man asks Hassidic Jews in New York why some of them are anti-Zionist. As he asks, the video shows images of Neturei Karta members wrapped in Palestinian flag colors. “They are a minority,” answers one of those questioned. Another evokes a clear image: “When you put a stone in an empty bottle and shake it, it makes a lot of noise. A filled bottle almost doesn’t make any.”

Therefore, we would like to believe that the anti-Zionist and sometimes overtly antisemitic tones recorded in the streets of Milan on April 25, Italy’s Liberation Day, are held by a minority — just one empty, noisy bottle.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. 

The bitterness directed at anything related to Israel—its State, people, culture, artists, singers, religion, and even phramaceuical businesses — has made it a legitimate point-blank shooting target. Even worse, during the Liberation Day marches, many antisemites brought their children along, setting a terrible example and causing great concern among Italian Jews. 

But are we sure that only Italian Jews are concerned about this? Are we sure that there aren’t many people around us who are equally disgusted by what has been shown on TV channels on Aparil 25 and by the nonstop, one-sided coverage on some of them? Are there not millions of Italians—yes, millions—who do not recognize themselves in the insults aimed at the Jewish Brigade? Italians of different faiths and nonbelievers, it’s time to make ourselves heard. Not with shouts or insults. But with clarity and firmness.

Among the many empty bottles marching on Italian streets on April 25, there must have been many good-faith participants who are victims of the ongoing political and media brainwashing that has never stopped since October 7, 2023.

Daniel Mosseri

Chief Editor