A United Nations expert has sharply criticized a controversial new antisemitism bill currently under consideration in Italy's parliament, questioning why "Israeli culture" should be mandated in Italian schools.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, expressed her concerns on Friday, urging the Italian public to stand against the legislation. Writing on social media platform X, Albanese asked: "Why on earth should Israeli culture be taught in Italy??"
Albanese characterized the proposed law as "part of the Israelisation of society that the elite in government (and part of that in the opposition) advocates for." She added, "I hope the Italian people oppose this announced shame. History is us."
Known as DDL 1004, the bill was introduced by the far-right League party, which is a junior partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition government. The legislation proposes adopting the definition of antisemitism established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
Having already passed the Senate in March, the bill is now before the Chamber of Deputies for final legislative approval.
Public opposition to the bill has already manifested on the streets. On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan to protest the legislation. Protesters held signs reading "No to the antisemitism bill," "Criticising Israel is not antisemitism," and "Protest is a right," while chanting slogans such as "Free Palestine."
