Tensions in Rome's Jewish Ghetto on Nazi roundup anniversary, insults at ANPI

(ANSA) - ROME, 16 OTT - Tensions erupted at the anniversary of the Raid on the Ghetto of Rome in which Nazis rounded up over 1,000 Jews on October 16, 1943 to send them to concentration camps, and insults were directed at members of the Italian Partisans Association ANPI, whose delegation was then excluded from the commemoration over its recent pro-Palestinian stances and condemnation of an alleged Israeli 'genocide' in Gaza. Some members of the Roman Jewish community began shouting at and insulting the ANPI delegation. "You need to leave," "Get out, get out," and "Shame on you!" they shouted at the association of former partisans. "We were attacked," said Marina Pierlorenzi, president of the Rome branch of ANPI. "They don't want ANPI here, claiming we are 'pro-Palestine' and that we have no business being in this square." In the days leading up to the event, the president of the Roman Jewish community, Victor Fladlun, had asked ANPI not to participate. Following the tensions with the Jewish community, the ANPI delegation was moved away from the area designated for the anniversary ceremony commemorating the roundup, and placed behind "some barriers," as explained by provincial president Pierlorenzi. In a gesture of solidarity, other associations followed the partisans and took their place alongside them. These included the ANED (National Association of Former Deportees to Nazi Camps), the FIAP (Italian Federation of Partisan Associations), and the National Association of War Victims. Rome's Jewish Community said ANPI should not have attended the event as a matter of propriety. "We asked the ANPI not to attend, out of respect. We have a profound respect for the history of the partisan struggle—it is our own history, too. It is worth remembering that 5% of Italian Jews fought in the Resistance—a figure ten times higher than the national average. "We were deeply hurt to see the Jewish Brigade excluded from the April 25th [Liberation Day] march, and we were deeply hurt once again by the ANPI's indulgent attitude toward pro-Palestinian demonstrations. "We believe the ANPI should not act as a political party or engage in politics; instead, it should return to its core mission: preserving the memory of the partisan struggle and the Resistance, said the president of the Jewish Community of Rome, Victor Fadlun. "We believe in—and have full respect for—[civil discourse], and we oppose any form of violence, even if it is merely verbal," he clarified. "Ours is a peaceful and respectful community. But today, it is a matter of propriety," he emphasized. When asked whether it had been a mistake for the Municipality of Rome to invite the ANPI, Fadlun replied: "I believe that October 16th represents a profound bereavement for our community. There are direct relatives of those who were deported present. Therefore, sensitivity and respect are required." The Gestapo detained 1,259 people - 363 men, 689 women, and 207 children - during the raid 43 years ago today. Of these, 1,023 were identified as Jews and deported to Auschwitz. (ANSA).
Read article...