Thursday,
November 20, 2008
22 Cheshvan, 5769
News
France
UK
Germany
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
EU-Israel affairs
US 2008 ELECTION
Iran - Holocaust
Voices
Culture
In Depth
Mideast Crisis
World Cup
On Anglo Jewry
Week at a glance
France Election
EU and Annapolis Summit
News from outside of Europe
Holocaust Remembrance Day
July 2008 at a glance
The Calendar
Links
advertisement
advertisement
Charles Bronfman Prize 2009

Rome Jewish spokesman sparks debate on pro-Israel parade
Updated: 01/Nov/2005 18:55
Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem
Photo: AFP
Page tools
Email to friend
Print this page
Bookmark this page
Add your view

A statement by Riccardo Pacifici, spokesperson of the Jewish Community of Rome, has sparked a debate among the Italian political establishment that puts at risk the recent almost unprecedented political sympathy towards Israel.

Speaking about an upcoming demonstration in Rome in reaction to recent anti-Israeli declarations by the Iranian President, Pacifici told the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv: “The Italian Jews will check who will participate and those who will not come will be considered not only enemies of Israel but also enemies of the Italian Jews.”

Although launched by "Il Foglio",a pro-Berlusconi right-wing daily, the torchlight parade in front of the Iranian embassy in Rome next Thursday was created in a bipartisan spirit and is receiving a warm consensus from numerous centrist and leftist political leaders.

"An enemy of the Jews? I fought with them for the liberation of Italy and we shared the same jail," reacted Armando Cossutta of the Party of Italian Communists. “I think that Pacifici should pay more attention when he talks," Cossutta continued.

Cossuta's party, the Greens and the Refunded Communist Party  decided not join the rally, blaming it for being "unilateral" and for putting aside the problems and the oppression suffered by the Palestinian people.

The Greens will have their own sit-in the on Wednesday and invited the Jewish community to join them.

"There is a difference, though. Sharon recognized the right of the Palestinians to build an independent state whereas Ahmadinejad wants to erase Israel. To erase is an horrible expression that gives me the creeps," Amos Luzzato, head of the Union of Italian Jewish communities said in an interview with the influential daily Il Corriere Della Sera.

Expression too colourful

Leone Paserman, chairman of Rome’s Jewish Community, explained to EJP that "although Pacifici may have used too colourful an expression, he arrived at the correct point. In his unacceptable statement Iranian President Ahmadinejad threatened not only Israel but also the Arab countries that are committed to the peace process.”

"A few weeks after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza," Paserman continued, "Ahmadinejad is indirectly threatening the Western world and all those who work for peace. All democratic parties should react.” 

Amos Luzzato also minimised Pacifici’s words.

Luzzato welcomed the rally as "a very appropriate initiative that I will certainly join.”

When asked if he would also consider the absentees as "enemies", Luzzatto replied: "If a political party decides to not join the parade, we shall ask for explanations and then evaluate (the situation).”


Big pro-Israel rally

Piero Fassino, secretary of the main opposition party, the post-Communist Left-Democrats, announced that he will join the torchlight parade and rally against a "further outburst of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic hatred.”

Italian Foreign Minister and leader of the rightist Alleanza Nazionale Gianfranco Fini - who is currently on a visit to Israel - will also be present.

Among other prominent politicians, Rome’s Mayor Walter Veltroni and the Presidents of various Italian Regions have publicly spoken in favour of the rally and announced their participation. 

The parade is expected to be the biggest pro-Israel public event ever organized in Italy. 


 


Add Your View Email to friend Print this page Bookmark this page
simsite
Day in history

1945: Germany

The Nuremberg Trials begin. Trials against 24 Nazi war criminals of World War II start at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice.

 
Latest Articles
Israel says it will not participate in Durban review conference
Poland launches Warsaw ghetto tourist trail
New Zealand new PM credits his success to his Jewish mother
Europe needs a new covenant, says Britain’s Chief rabbi in EU parliament address
Italian FM: Nazism, fascism 'absolute evils'
Obama risks trap with Ahmadinejad letter, analysts warn
Synagogue textiles belonging to the Sephardi community exhibited in London