The new president of the UCEI denounces the climate of insecurity and defends the bill against anti-Semitism: “Votes against it hurt.”
«In Italy the Jews do not live peacefully. If today we are able to live well it is above all thanks to the presence of the police.” With these words the new president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Livia Ottolenghidescribed the security situation of the Jewish communities in the country during a press conference held in Rome. Ottolenghi he spoke openly about the protective measures that now characterize the daily life of Jewish institutions. «The schools are guarded, with grates on the windows. When students have to go out they do so under escort. From kindergarten to university there are concrete difficulties even in the simple expression of one’s Jewish identity”, he explained. A condition which, according to the president ofUCEIalso concerns community representatives, often forced to move with an escort. “It’s not a peaceful situation,” he underlined. During the meeting with journalists, hosted at National Library of Italian Judaism “Tullia Zevi”, Livia Ottolenghi he also addressed the topic of the recently approved bill against anti-Semitism. “It is an important law and we are satisfied with its approval,” he said, explaining that the measure responds to a concrete need. «The data shows a material increase in anti-Semitic incidents and the general picture, in Europe as in Italy, it is very worrying. We must not hide it: politics has given an answer to a real problem.”
There president of the UCEI However, he expressed regret for the divisions that emerged during the parliamentary vote. «We would have preferred a broader convergence. Seeing votes against and abstentions hurt a little”, he declared, recalling how the law represents an important institutional signal to counter a growing phenomenon. Referring then to the definition of anti-Semitism of theInternational Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Ottolenghi he observed that in the public debate “less attention was paid to the essential data”, that is, the concrete reality in which Jewish communities live today. The new president also outlined the guidelines of her mandate, underlining her intention to move in the wake of the work done by her predecessor. «There is a spirit of continuity with Noemi Di Segniwho did important work. I collaborated with her and there is a thread that binds us,” he explained. At the same time, he clarified that the new council intends to identify the areas in which to intervene to improve the Union’s action. «We will try to understand which areas need to be worked on and we will try to intervene there. The idea is to innovate, but without any break with the past.” Ottolenghi finally indicated three priorities for his presidency. The first concerns the internal working method: «Sharing with colleagues in the council and listening to the communities will be central». The second objective is the valorization of the different Jewish realities present in the country, with the aim of strengthening Jewish life and identity in Italy and making it better known outside. The third point concerns the cultural dimension: «Promote awareness of the contribution that Italian Jews have made and continue to make to our country». A path which, in the intentions of the new president ofUCEIwill have to strengthen dialogue with institutions and civil society at a time marked by new tensions and growing attention to the issue of anti-Semitism. Livia Ottolenghi will be a guest on the Panorama.it broadcast “Appointment in the square” broadcast Thursday 12 March at 10.00.
