Liliana Segre urges all parties to back the anti-antisemitism bill unanimously
Lifetime senator Liliana Segre called on every political party to approve the anti-antisemitism bill with a unanimous vote, suggesting a minor wording tweak to allow criticism of Israel.
Liliana Segre, a senator for life, appealed to all Italian parties to unite behind the anti-antisemitism draft law and pass it with a unanimous vote. She argued that a modest amendment could be added to specify that political criticism of Israel, like that of any other state, should not be automatically classified as antisemitic. Segre warned that partisan splits over the measure would damage Italy’s reputation and encourage a climate of hate.
She cited the late Furio Colombo’s effort to secure a unanimous parliamentary vote on the Giorno della Memoria law in 2000 as a precedent for national consensus on sensitive issues. The senator noted that the bill already excludes criminal provisions and bans, and incorporates the IHRA definition distinguishing anti-Israel sentiment from antisemitism. She urged parties to set aside speculation and act in the country’s higher interest.
