A surprising percentage of Italians justifies the physical attacks on the Jews, shows the data of an opinion poll
A manifestation “Stop Everything”, organized by groups of students from Sapienza University, against the genocide in the Gaza strip. Photo: IPA, Independent Photo Agency SRL / Alamy / Profimedia
About 15% of Italians believe that the physical attacks on the Jews are “fully or to a certain extent,” according to a poll published on Tuesday, in the context of protests against Israel's offensive continues throughout the country, notes Reuters.
- The survey was conducted between September 24-26 by the Italian SWG survey Institute, on a national sample of 800 adults.
About 18% of respondents believe that anti -Semitic inscriptions on the walls and other public spaces are legitimate.
About one-fifth of the respondents said that it is reasonable to be attacked by teachers who express their pro-Israeli positions or that companies refuse Israeli customers, after the Italian press has reported several such cases.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long complained about the growth of anti -Semitism in European cities, in the Western press, on social networks and in elite universities in the United States.
Italy, marked by the 1938 anti -Semitic legislation, adopted during the fascist period, has laws that sanction racial discrimination and hate offenses. The SWG survey shows that 85% of those questioned believe that the attacks against the Jews are “little or not justified.”
Last week, protesters from Milan and other Italian cities collided with the police, and port workers blocked some ports in solidarity with Palestinians, saying that they want to prevent the use of Italy as a transit point for weapons.
However, the SWG survey shows that most of the Italians disapprove both the police and the attempt to lock the port.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a firm supporter of Israel
The protesters ask the right -wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to put pressure on Israel to stop the military campaign in Gaza, which has so far caused the death of over 66,000 people, according to the health authorities in Gaza. Israel launched the offensive after, on October 7, 2023, Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli data.
The Meloni government was a constant supporter of Israel and refused, this month, to follow the example of other G7 states, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and France, who recognized the Palestinian state. Rome states that recognition should only come after the release of all Israeli hostages and the exclusion of Hamas from any future Palestinian government.
Last week, in front of the UN General Assembly in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Palestine states of sending the message “Killing Jews, referring to 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
The SWG survey also showed that most respondents hold an international humanitarian fleet mission to deliver aid in Gaza, which also participates in Italian activists and parliamentarians.
