For the first time in ten years, the flags of Keshet Italia, the organization representing Italian LGBTQ+ Jews, did not fly at the Pride events in Rome and Milan. \u201cThe decision not to participate was difficult, but necessary. The atmosphere within the movement has become unbearable for us, and we wanted to send a clear signal: change is needed. Given the numerous reactions and media attention, we are convinced we made the right choice,\u201d the president of Keshet, Raffaele Sabbadini, said to Pagine Ebraiche.
\nAfter October 7, the climate of hostility towards Israel and the Jewish world deeply affected the Italian LGBT community. There were attacks, insults, and in some cases outright censorships. At the Pride event in Bergamo, organizers wrote that they did not want \u201cIsraeli flags or any symbols related to the State of Israel on display.\u201d \u201cThis is true discrimination. It is unacceptable, especially within a movement priding itself on being inclusive,\u201d remarked Sabbadini.\u201d \u201cWe have felt isolated and excluded, muck like the entire Jewish community since October 7.\u201d This led to the decision not to participate in any Pride events in Italy. \u201cWe cannot ignore what is happening, but our goal is not to splinter the movement. Instead, we want to initiate a dialogue to overcome this situation. If part of the movement feels attacked and in danger, it hurts us all.”
\nIn Milan, a press conference was organized in solidarity with Keshet Italy. Various association and political parties were present, along with the Jewish Community of Milan and the reform congregation Lev Chadash. According to Davide Blei, communication manager of the Jewish Community, the situation in Italy is increasingly concerning. An explicit attack \u201cto Jewish symbols and Jewish culture\u201d is underway, he denounced in a message. In Milan for example, he noted, it was impossible to “safely hold a concert of Jewish music at the Parenti theater.”
\nRegarding this atmosphere, Blei and community leaders expressed strong criticisms of the municipality and Mayor Beppe Sala. \u201cThere have been too many ambiguities, such as the approval by the City Council of the motion for the recognition of the Palestinian state. An initiative useful only to divide and fuel attacks,\u201d Blei said to Pagine Ebraiche. There have been no recent contacts with Sala and his administration. \u201cWe are always open to dialogue, but for now, there has been no input. The right conditions are needed for a discussion.\u201d A similar assessment applies to the LGBT community, according to Sabbadini. \u201cThe priority should be to openly discuss and confront issues. I am optimistic. I’ve seen changes within our movement. It will take time, but we cannot afford isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"