“Let’s save Pride Parades from violence and discrimination.” This is the message of Keshet, Italy’s only Jewish LGBTQ group, in the wake of the Naples Pride Parade, which was held on June 27. The association denounced “a group of violent marchers who blocked the float we were on.” The situation quickly escalated, forcing Keshet activists …
As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome. During the Nazi-Fascist era, many Jewish lives were saved at a specific address in Rome: 14 Via Alessandro Torlonia, home to the Compassionist Sisters’ convent. Some arrived from Vienna, some from Zagreb, and some had escaped the roundup of October 16, 1943—the “Black Saturday” of Rome’s …
On June 19, Keshet, Italy’s only Jewish LGBTQ+ association, announced that it had reached an agreement with the organizers of the Rome Pride Parade to participate “with its own delegation and symbols.” Keshet will also join the coordinating committee for next year’s march “to address the tensions that have emerged and resolve misunderstandings.” Keshet president …
On June 15, an open letter signed by more than 2,000 citizens, politicians, and activists was delivered to the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. The letter requested that the necessary protections be guaranteed for Keshet Italia, Italy’s only Jewish LGBTQ+ association. Keshet Italia was barred from participating in this year’s Rome Pride parade on May …
The Festa dei Quattro Altari (Celebration of the Four Altars) is a popular historical festival that takes place yearly in Torre del Greco, a municipality of 80,000 people that is part of the Naples metropolitan area. Born as a celebration of the Eucharist—the Catholic sacrament commemorating the Last Supper—the festival offers moments of spirituality, art, …
Michael Rabello, a lawyer born in 1966, was elected State Comptroller of Israel following a turbulent vote likely to trigger further legal disputes. For years, he has stood alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in some of the most sensitive constitutional battles before Israel’s Supreme Court.For Italian-Israeli jurist Michael Sierra, the affair presents a paradox. …
The Commission for Benefits to Anti-Fascist Political and Racial Persecuted held its first meeting of 2026 in the middle of May. This commission was created within the Italian Prime Minister’s Office and operates through the Ministry of Economy and Finance. As a result, this meeting brings renewed attention to applications under Law No. 96 of …
Arbib has served as president of the Jewish Community of Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna) since 2019. He was reelected in March for a third term. At the end of March, his term was renewed for a third time. As in his previous term, Vice President Andrea Pesaro and Councilor Shmuel Lampronti will join him on the Council. …
News that Keshet Italia, Italy’s only Jewish LGBTQ+ association, was barred from participating in this year’s Rome Pride parade on May 25 quickly spread worldwide, sparking condemnation. The Rome Pride organizers explained that their decision was based on Keshet Italia’s refusal to endorse the parade’s political manifesto. The manifesto characterizes Israel’s military operations in Gaza …
Following its approval in the Senate, the antisemitism bill is now under consideration in the Chamber of Deputies. UCEI President Livia Ottolenghi expressed hope for swift, bipartisan approval. “Our concern and our priority are that the law be passed, period. The existence of a law combating antisemitism would send an extremely important message about the …
Settimia Spizzichino was the only woman to survive the Nazi roundup of Rome’s Jewish ghetto on October 16, 1943. Rivka, Grazia, and Sara Spizzichino are three sisters from Rome. They are Jewish and descendants of Settimia. Because of their family connection, the sisters helped establish the association Ricordiamo Insieme (Let Us Remember Together), founded by …
Since March, the Jewish Community of Livorno, in Tuscany, has its own “secret garden.” It is a welcoming place where people can enjoy their free time in peace. Soon, educational activities, literary meetings, contemplative walks, and moments of meditation “in full harmony with nature and biblical principles” will be organized there. The garden belongs to …
The Jewish Museum of Lecce (Apulia) is hosting a solo exhibition titled The Jewish Roots of Jesus in the Gospels by Israeli artist Adi Kichelmacher. The project explores the Jewish origins of Jesus and the intersection of Judaism and Christianity. In the catalogue, Kichelmacher explains her inspiration: “I aspired to create paintings in an iconographic …
The annual rally commemorating Italy’s liberation from Nazi-fascism on April 25 was marred by tensions and hostility toward Jewish representatives. Anti-Zionist and occasionally overtly antisemitic sentiments were voiced in the streets. In Milan, the Jewish Brigade-the Jewish volunteer corps of the British Army recruited in Mandatory Palestine, which played a pivotal role in liberating Italy-was …
A declaration of intent to combat antisemitism in sports was signed at the Chigiana Library of Palazzo Chigi, on April 24. The agreement was signed by the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; the National Coordinator for combating antisemitism, Pasquale Angelosanto; the President of Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Luciano Buonfiglio, and the President …
The night of May 1, unknown individuals defaced eight stumbling stones at 12 Piazza Santa Giulia in Turin by covering them with black paint. Installed three months ago, the brass plaques bear the names of six elderly and infirm women who were deported from the Jewish Hospital, formerly located in Piazza Santa Giulia, and killed …
The Union of Italian Jewish Communities will not participate in the national demonstration in Milan on April 25 celebrations for Italy’s liberation from Nazi-fascism. Instead, the UCEI participated in Bologna’s celebrations on April 21. “April 25 falls on a Saturday this year, which coincides with Shabbat,” explained UCEI Vice President Milo Hasbani to Pagine Ebraiche. …
“Eighty percent of the global music business is controlled by the Jews.” Italian singer Adelmo Fornaciari, better known as Zucchero, made this comment at the press conference to announce his upcoming summer tour. The tour kicks off in Italy in July, with a preview show in Mantua in May. News agencies and national publications picked …
On March 31, the Italian Order of Journalists, a state-approved professional body, passed a motion to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA). This declaration differs from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, adopted by many Western countries, including Italy under the second government led by PM Giuseppe Conte (2019-2021) – a coalition …
With the threat of Iranian missiles looming over them daily, the March 22 and 23 referendum to overhaul Italy’s judiciary was not a priority for Italians in Israel. Only 1.24% of eligible voters exercised their right, casting about 150 ballots out of a total of over 14,000. “It was truly a mass desertion,”retired Italian-Israeli demographer …