Italian Party Issues Blacklist Naming Jews and Israel Advocates

The New Communist Party of Italy has sparked outrage by publishing a blacklist of Italian Jews and Israel supporters, labeling them “Zionist agents” to be “condemned and fought” for their support of the Jewish state. The list, titled “Zionist Organizations and Agents in Italy,” includes more than 150 names of individuals and companies across various sectors, drawing widespread condemnation from politicians, media, and Jewish communities.

The blacklist, organized by categories, targets companies in economic sectors such as finance, industry, technology, and military, naming businesses like Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories, Electra Consumer Products, SodaStream International, and Elbit Systems. It also identifies individuals under categories such as “Zionists in political parties” and “Zionists in the media and cultural spheres,” accusing them of supporting or promoting Israel in Italy.

Prominent figures on the list include Senator Ester Mieli, former Italian Ambassador to Israel Luigi Mattiolo, former President of the Jewish Community of Rome Riccardo Pacifici, and journalists Maurizio Molinari and Emanuela Dviri.

The New Communist Party, a fringe political group, has drawn widespread criticism for its actions. The right-wing Brothers of Italy Party, led by President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, strongly denounced the list, describing it as a serious attack on freedom of thought and a dangerous threat to the safety of those named. La Russa called for unanimous condemnation of the list.

The center-left Democratic Party also condemned the list, demanding a parliamentary inquiry. In a statement, the party described the blacklist as a “delirious statement from an antisemitic group” and noted that it is part of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents in Italy.

Rome’s Jewish community expressed deep concern over the list, warning that it is indicative of a resurgent antisemitism in the country. The community described the blacklist as the latest in a string of threatening acts, reflecting a growing boldness among those espousing antisemitic views.

The New Communist Party defended the publication of the list, claiming it was a response to a “smear campaign” against Gabriele Rubini, a controversial chef and former semi-professional rugby player known as Chef Rubio. Rubini has faced legal action for his inflammatory posts against Jews and Israel, which he was ordered by an Italian court to remove.

Antisemitism has been on the rise in Italy, with several disturbing incidents reported in recent months. These include clashes over the inclusion of Israeli exhibitors at a jewelry fair, the vandalism of Holocaust memorial stones, and a scandal involving members of the pro-Israel Brothers of Italy’s youth movement, who were caught shouting “Sieg Heil” on tape.

As Italy grapples with this surge in antisemitic rhetoric and actions, political and community leaders are calling for stronger measures to protect those targeted and to combat the spread of hate.

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