More than a thousand Italian intellectuals have signed a petition against anti-Semitism
More than 1,150 representatives of the Italian cultural and scientific elite have signed the manifesto “In Support of Israel — Against the Hunt for Jews”, published in the newspaper Il Riformista. This document, described by the publication as a “clean, firm, and decisive” act of civic courage, is a response to the growing pressure of anti-Israel rhetoric and a surge in anti-Semitism in the country.
The petition was initiated by a group of intellectuals, including Israeli writer Fiamma Nirenstein. Among the first signatories is the editor-in-chief of Il Riformista Claudio Velardi, who called the initiative “a necessity to defend truth and dignity against lies and hatred”.
Quotes from the manifesto:
“We support Israel not because we approve of every political decision it makes, but because we refuse to reconcile with the hunt for Jews, which again becomes possible in the European space”, the statement says.
The authors call for distinguishing between legitimate criticism and propaganda that masks hatred under the slogans of pacifism. They draw attention to the distorted public reaction to the massacre on October 7, 2023, committed by Hamas militants:
“The killers’ cameras recorded children being burned alive. It was a deliberate act, documented and spread online, to elicit admiration. And this act is still being justified”.
Public resonance and cultural courage
The petition was signed by university professors, writers, artists, journalists, and even former politicians. The participation of those who have never before spoken on the Middle East issue is particularly emphasized, giving the document special strength. Il Riformista emphasizes:
“We are not supporters of any government. We are allies of Israel as a people and as a nation that exists thanks to the memory of the Holocaust and in response to it”.
The petition concludes with the words:
“When democracies are silent, instigators speak. When the intelligentsia hides, marching crowds feel justified. We do not want this to be repeated. Never again — it’s now”.
Comment by Marina Rosenberg Koritny, Head of the WZO Department for the Promotion of Aliyah:
“This is not just an act of solidarity. It is a manifestation of fundamental honesty and civic courage in days when being Jewish in Europe again becomes dangerous. We are deeply grateful to those who signed this petition. Their position is a reminder: defending Israel today is defending the very foundations of humanism and human dignity. We see how European society is undergoing a test of maturity and honesty. May the voice of conscience be louder than the cries of hatred”.
