WAHINGTON (EJP) --- The Anti-Defamation League endowed Italian President Giorgio Napolitano with its highest honour, recognizing his efforts to combat anti-Semitism, during a ceremony in Washington.

Paying tribute to the President’s significant record of denouncing anti-Semitism, opposing terrorism, supporting Israel and defending the rights of immigrants and other minorities in Italian society, ADL National Director Abraham H, Foxman saluted his “unflinching, uncompromising unequivocal stand against the evil of anti-Semitism” as well as his “readiness to promptly, vigorously and clearly add your voice as Italy’s president in denouncing anti-Semitic and racist incidents”.

Invoking the Italian’s recent comments at last month’s International Holocaust Memorial Day in which he slammed the rise of neo-Nazism and violence in Italy as well as committed to maintaining an essential Holocaust educational programme, Foxman told assembled dignitaries Napolitano had “continually made your commitment to this vital battle a clear part of your public life and political leadership”.

Heralding his campaigning for fair treatment of Israel amongst the international community, drawing on Italy’s historic close relationship with the Jewish State, he added: “No wonder Israel and Israelis have such high regard for you and see Italy as such a close friend among the leading members of the European community.”

Previous recipients of the high level award have included Napolitano’s compatriot, former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, a known advocate of Israel, who himself came under fire for comments made at a Milan Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration when he sought to defend Italian WWII leader and Nazi ally Benito Mussolini for “having done some good” in the course of his political reign.