“On behalf of myself and the European Parliament, it was important to be here today because fighting antisemitism is what allows our democracies to be strong democracies. Fighting hatred is what enables our societies to be free from the horrors of the past, which are recounted here, but also from those of the present.”
This was stated by the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, at the end of her visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Milan where she was accompanied, among others, by the life senator Liliana Segre.
“Antisemitism is a wind that still blows strongly in Italy and Europe,” continued Picierno, “and the European institutions are here to clearly testify that they are not indifferent, but committed to fighting with all the strength we have.”
The Vice-President of the European Parliament also commented on the discovery of the body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in Abu Dhabi, which the Israeli government has described as an “atrocious act of antisemitic terrorism,” reiterating the need for “an even stronger commitment against antisemitism, which I am here today to testify.”
“I thank an extraordinary woman like Liliana Segre for her example, because we need examples, and also to show her the support of the European institutions, as she is far too often the target of despicable attacks,” added the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
“We need clarity in condemning such expressions as unacceptable for a strong and healthy democracy like ours,” she concluded. “I am honoured to have walked this path with her, and may it be a springboard for a new era focused on the commitment to do more and do better.”
