In a previous article (U.N. No. 28), we highlighted the risk of a new
crackdown by the government under the pretext of fighting anti-Semitism.Let's now try to clarify what is being planned. Three bills on this
topic have been introduced in Parliament: Bill 1004, signed by Lega Nord
members Romeo, Pirovano, and Bergesio, which, having been introduced in
January 2024, is already at an advanced stage of discussion in the
Senate committee; Bill 1575, signed by Renzi's Scalfarotto, introduced
in July 2025; and Bill 1627, introduced in August 2025 by Forza Italia
member Gasparri.
Unlike the infamous "Security" bill (which was presented directly by the
government as a whole), here we are faced, at least apparently, with
proposals from individual parliamentarians. But this is far from
reassuring, given that security and repressive issues are a strong
unifying factor for the majority (and also for a significant portion of
the parliamentary opposition).
Let's see what the IHRA's "operational definition" means.
This repressive crackdown has a long history, originating in the work of
the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an
intergovernmental body supposedly dedicated to preserving the memory of
the Holocaust. Back in 2016, the IHRA plenary assembly adopted a
"non-legally binding operational definition of antisemitism,"
accompanied by a series of indicators. The fact that it was a
"non-legally binding" working document obscured its dangers, and it
failed to take into account that the "definition" cleverly conflated the
concepts of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Indeed, the document
highlights how anti-Semitic manifestations "may target the State of
Israel because it is conceived as a Jewish collectivity" and, among
other indicators, lists "denying Jews the right to self-determination,
for example by claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is an
expression of racism"; or "drawing comparisons between contemporary
Israeli policies and those of the Nazis."
Consequently, denouncing the Palestinian genocide (which, in reality,
links Israel to Nazi Germany) and denouncing the apartheid prevailing in
"democratic" Israel fall within the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.
Regarding the "non-legally binding" nature, the definition then
specifies that "acts of anti-Semitism are considered crimes when defined
as such by the law of the country (for example, Holocaust denial or the
distribution of anti-Semitic materials in some countries)," thus leaving
countries free to introduce specific restrictive legislation.
The IHRA "operational definition" was adopted by the European Union in
2018 and in Italy by the Conte II government (PD-M5S) in 2020, also as a
"non-legally binding" act. Meanwhile, however, several countries, such
as Germany and the United Kingdom, have introduced highly restrictive
legislation that considers any form of criticism of the State of Israel
a crime.
THE ROMEO AND SCALFAROTTO BILLS
We discuss them together because the Scalfarotto Bill is, literally, a
carbon copy of the Northern League's.
The bill "adopts the operational definition of antisemitism formulated
by the Plenary Assembly of the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016, including the related indicators"
(Article 1).
In addition to training and educational activities and the establishment
of a database on antisemitism, the bill provides for restrictions on
access to social media (Article 2, paragraph b), with the related
removal of "antisemitic" content, and the possibility of prohibiting
"antisemitic" demonstrations "in the event of an assessment of a serious
potential risk due to the use of symbols, slogans, messages, or any
other antisemitic act pursuant to the operational definition of
antisemitism adopted by this law."
These provisions would make it possible to prohibit any demonstration
critical of the State of Israel.
The Scalfarotto Bill differs from the previous one by a single paragraph
requiring RAI to promote information campaigns on anti-Semitism (Article
2, paragraph g). It is therefore unclear why some commentators (who
evidently have not read the text) consider it "less restrictive" than
the Northern League's bill.
THE GASPARRI BILL
This bill also adopts the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, drawing
serious criminal consequences. Article 2 is being integrated. Article
604 bis of the Criminal Code provides for a prison sentence of two to
six years for denying "the right to the existence of the State of
Israel" or for calling for its destruction (note that apologia for the
Holocaust is already punishable under the same article). An aggravating
circumstance has been introduced for anti-Semitic acts (Article 4).
School and university staff are required to report to the authorities
"any racist or anti-Semitic acts" they witness, otherwise risking severe
disciplinary and criminal sanctions (Article 3).
The icing on the cake: mandatory training courses on anti-Semitism are
being provided for all public sector personnel, from magistrates to
teachers. For the police in particular, "training in the preparation of
reports of anti-Semitic acts" is provided (Article 2).
AN ANTI-SEMITIC, RACIST GOVERNMENT (YET FRIENDLY OF ISRAEL)
Anti-Semitism (the real kind) is, like any form of racism, a cancer that
must be eradicated. As anarchists, we are perfectly equipped to clearly
distinguish between the genocidal responsibility of the State of Israel
and individual people of Jewish culture or religion, many of whom have
even taken a firm stand against Zionism. Even some ultra-Orthodox Jewish
currents deny the legitimacy of the State of Israel for strictly
religious reasons (the State of Israel can only be re-established by the
Messiah at the end of time...).
On the contrary, we have heard Minister Roccella denigrate the Holocaust
by claiming that "school trips" to Auschwitz are merely a "left-wing"
pretext to attack fascism! Words that would not have been out of place
in the mouth of Nazi ideologue Rosenberg. Will we ever see her charged
under Article 604 bis of the Criminal Code? We seriously doubt it.
While we remain steadfast in the fight against all forms of racism, we
must intensify our mobilizations against this infamous legislation that
is being prepared (the risk of it resulting in a worsening synthesis of
the three bills is real) to defend freedom of thought, speech, and assembly.
Mauro De Agostini
https://umanitanova.org/no-a-bavagli-e-rappresaglie-gasparri-e-i-tre-ddl-per-colpire-le-proteste-contro-il-genocidio/
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A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
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