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Jewish Brigade Barred from Milan's April 25th March Amid Chants of 'Zionists Out'; Leaders Cry Antisemitism

From ANSA · (8h ago) Italian Critical tone

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Jewish Brigade was prevented from marching in Milan's April 25th commemoration, sparking outrage and accusations of antisemitism.
  • Protesters chanted anti-Zionist slogans, leading to a standoff with police that lasted over two hours.
  • Jewish community leaders condemned the incident, drawing parallels to historical restrictions on Jewish public assembly.

Milan's annual April 25th commemoration, a day meant to honor the liberation from Nazi fascism, was marred by a deeply disturbing incident where the Jewish Brigade was effectively barred from participating. Chants of 'Zionists out of the parade' and other hostile slogans created an atmosphere of intimidation, forcing a prolonged standoff with law enforcement.

Siamo stati cacciati dalla Polizia, è un fatto grave e ne parleremo

— Paolo RomanoDirector of the Jewish Brigade museum, reacting immediately after the incident.

This event represents a grave escalation from previous years' protests. Instead of merely facing verbal dissent, the Brigade, along with allied delegations, was physically prevented from marching. After more than two hours of stalemate, police escorted them out of the procession, a move that has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community.

Dal 1938 non era impedito agli ebrei di manifestare

— Daniele NahumCity councilor and member of the Jewish community, drawing a historical parallel.

Leaders like Paolo Romano of the Jewish Brigade museum and regional councilor Manfredi Palmeri expressed their dismay and anger, with Romano calling the police's actions 'serious.' Daniele Nahum, a city councilor and member of the Jewish community, starkly noted that such a restriction on Jews' ability to demonstrate hadn't occurred since 1938. Emanuele Fiano, a prominent politician, lamented the 'qualitative leap' in the insults and the 'subterranean feeling of antisemitism' that has resurfaced, a sentiment echoed by national leaders.

C'è stato un salto di qualità degli insulti. Siamo preoccupati ma non abbasseremo la testa e l'anno prossimo pretendiamo di fare tutto il corteo

— Emanuele FianoPD exponent and president of 'Sinistra per Israele. Due popoli due Stati', expressing concern about rising antisemitism.

The response from some quarters, including the president of Milan's ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans), Gianfranco Pagliarulo, who claimed the Brigade didn't move and thus wasn't blocked, has been met with fierce condemnation. Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish community, accused Pagliarulo of inciting antisemitism. This incident raises profound questions about the nature of public discourse and tolerance in Italy today, particularly concerning the expression of anti-Israel sentiment and its dangerous slide into antisemitism.

Accuso il presidente dell'Anpi di Milano e Pagliarulo: quello che fanno è istigazione all'antisemitismo

— Walker MeghnagiPresident of the Jewish community, accusing ANPI's president of inciting antisemitism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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