Tensions in the former Jewish Ghetto in Rome, insults and shouts against the ANPI

Tensions in the former ghetto of Rome where the ceremony for the anniversary of the roundup of the Jews is scheduled: some members of the Roman community began to shout and insult the ANPI delegation. "You have to go", "get out, get out", "shame on you" they shouted towards the partisan association.

"We were attacked - said the president of the ANPI of Rome Marina Pierlorenzi - they don't want the ANPI, telling us that we are pro pal and that we cannot stay in this square". In recent days the president of the Roman Jewish community Victor Fladlun had asked the Anpi not to participate.

The ANPI delegation was removed from the space dedicated to the ceremony for the anniversary of the roundup and placed behind "some barriers", as explained by the provincial president Marina Pierlorenzi. Other associations, as a sign of solidarity, followed the partisans and sided with them. These include Aned (National Association of Former Deportees in Nazi Camps), Fiap (Italian Federation of Partisan Associations) and the national association of war victims.

"We asked the ANPI not to attend as a matter of respect. We have a profound respect for the history of the partisan struggle, which is our history. I remember that 5% of Italian Jews fought in the resistance when the national average is 10 times lower. We were deeply hurt in seeing the Jewish brigade expelled from the demonstration on 25 April and we were again deeply hurt in seeing the condescension of the ANPI towards the pro-Pal squares. And we think that the Anpi must not fulfill the role of a political party, it must not engage in politics but must return to its role of preserving the memory of the partisan struggle of the resistance". The president of the Jewish Community of Rome, Victor Fadlun, said this on the sidelines of the commemoration on 16 October, after the tensions that occurred between some members of the community and the ANPI.

"We believe and have full respect and are against any form of violence even if it were only verbal - he specified -. This is a peaceful community and it is a respectful community. But today it is a question of modesty", he underlined. And when asked if it had been a mistake on the part of Roma Capitale to invite the ANPI, Fadlun replied: "I think that October 16th is a profound mourning for our community. There are direct relatives of those who were deported. And therefore sensitivity and respect are needed".