“From October 7th to December 31st, Oscad, the observatory for safety against discriminatory acts, received 200 reports, compared to 17 in the same period in 2022.
The complaint comes from the police chief, Vittorio Pisani, to the parliamentary commission for combating intolerance, racism, and antisemitism.
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has certainly led to incidents of antisemitism and discrimination. There is a widespread heterogeneity of behavior, and only 9 incidents were reported because many events are at the threshold of criminal relevance. Perhaps a widespread cultural intervention is necessary to raise awareness of antisemitism.”
Pisani is concerned about the situation in universities. “Since October 7th,” Pisani continues, “there have been 20 reports from Israeli university students in Italy who have suffered discriminatory acts. While respecting the autonomy of the rectors, it is necessary to understand together with them the extent of the episodes and what a training intervention with the Oscad observatory could be in the university environment.”
For Pisani, the issue cannot be resolved with coercion. “We do not believe interventions are necessary in terms of repression or the tools with which to equip the police force. The Mancino law has already introduced incisive powers. We need to work a lot on the educational and cultural level with a path spread throughout the national territory. There is a complete and widespread heterogeneity of behaviors, a diffusion of events across the territory, a diversified typology of behaviors.”
Regarding demonstrations, “in terms of public order, there was an enormous increase from October 7th onwards in demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: 890 demonstrations, 661 in solidarity with the Palestinian people, 30 in solidarity with Israel, and 199 for peace.”
Pisani reveals that “no particular behaviors of apology or instigation of crimes were detected. There were no violent clashes or arrests in the act.” He continues, “Around ten people were reported, particularly for damage and insult. They were mostly demonstrations of the free expression of thought,” he underlines. “There were approximately 64 demonstrations in universities, almost all of which were pro-Palestine, and during which no violent behavior occurred,” he emphasizes.
Liliana Segre also spoke in the commission. “I want to reiterate the terrible sadness of the times we are living in. For a Commission that is against hatred, everything that was talked about gives the idea of a chilling atmosphere,” said the senator for life.”
