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January 19, 2020 "Italian Muslims and Arabs have always put their faces against anti-Semitism", therefore "do not use us as an excuse to distance ourselves from the far-right movements". Thus the communities of the Arab world in Italy (Co-mai) and the lay international interreligious Confederation (Cili-Italy) respond to the words of Matteo Salvini with which he attributes to the presence of Muslims in Italy the role of "contributing factor to the increase in anti-Semitism. "The controversy
It all started with the response of the head of the League, Matteo Salvini, to a question asked for an interview with israelhayom.co.il, published in the Hebrew edition of the site. Salvini in responding to the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe said: "In my opinion this has to do with the strengthening of Islamic extremism and fanaticism in recent years".
There are those who create hatred
"It is very important to underline - said Salvini - that this is connected to the fact that certain elements in the academic world and in the media are mobilized against Israel and they create hatred towards Israel to justify anti-Semitism". "Now the massive presence of immigrants from Muslim countries - he continued - contributes to the spread of anti-Semitism also in Italy".
Right and left anti-Semitism
"There is an anti-Semitism of the far right and the far left," Salvini observed, "we think of Jeremy Corbyn or left-wing activists in Germany who do not want to be like the Nazis and yet find themselves boycotting Israeli products" . The leader of the League then assured that his party has no connection with organizations that Israel accuses of anti-Semitism.
In the elections against us
"In the elections parties like Casa Pound, Forza Nuova and Fiamma stand against us" and this shows "that we have no ties to them," he said. Salvini hoped that the European Union would ban the activities of the BDS movement, which advocates a boycott of Israel. "We have to start working in schools, among young people, I spent nine years in the European Parliament and I can tell you that the European institutions, not to mention the UN ones, are not friends with Israel," he said. "Those who want to cancel the state of Israel must know that we are their enemies, Israel is an ally, this must be taught in schools and universities."
Salvini, with my government Jerusalem capital of Israel
In the same interview Salvini also said that "When I am in government I will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel". Salvini had previously expressed himself cautiously in favor of moving the Italian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "You know how I think: step by step. There is a coalition government and, therefore, I must also listen to the partners", he said in December 2018, when he was still deputy premier of the Gialloverde executive, after a visit to Israel.
Co-Mai: "irresponsible Salvini"
"It is - denounces Foad Aodi, founder of Co-Mai - a very serious affirmation and it arrives on the day of the Berlin Conference and a few days before the elections in Emilia Romagna where a very important political match is played for the various parties including the League.
We have always fought terrorism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, fear with clear positions and constructive proposals without ambiguity, expressing solidarity with all: Muslim, Christian and secular Jews and dialoguing with all communities with open and sincere dialogue, including the Jewish community and the Jewish medical association. For this reason I turn to Salvini inviting him to be more responsible and respectful in his statements towards the Arab and Muslim communities and towards all immigrants residing in Italy who have never disrespected nor attacked and appointed Salvini in recent years despite the numerous offenses and political slogans ".
"Enough now, let's not allow anyone to use the Arab and Muslim communities for personal political purposes and to distance themselves from the far-right movements", underlines Foad Aodi who recalls how "Italy has always been in good relations with the countries Arabs and Muslims both as governments and as population including the Palestinian government and I don't think that a single Italian politician can decide for himself the fate of the relationship of foreign policy with other countries without going through the Italian parliament ".
Arturo Scotto: "I attacked by very Italians"
"In truth, the squadron that attacked me, my family and two boys shouting 'Anne Frank in the ovens' was very Italian. Salvini takes it out on Muslims not to look at his house. Anti-Semitism is fought at three hundred and sixty degrees" . Arturo Scotto of the national direction of Article One wrote on Twitter, responding to the League leader who attributed anti-Semitism exclusively to Muslims.