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.