The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, hosted the 'Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust' event at the Italian Consulate General in New York, to celebrate 60 diplomats - including six Italians - for their help to Jews persecuted by the Nazis during World War II.
"The extraordinary example of these diplomats, who hid, protected and rescued persecuted Jews during the Holocaust, must serve as a lesson today as well, to renew our common commitment to prevent and combat anti-Semitism," the ambassador stressed in her speech, recalling the worrying anti-Semitic regurgitations that have emerged since 7 October. Zappia also added that 'today's event is part of Italy's strong commitment against all forms of anti-Semitism, both nationally and internationally'.
The event at the Consulate General was organised in conjunction with the sponsoring committee of a bipartisan legislative initiative, supported by numerous US Congressmen and Senators, to establish a US Congressional Gold Medal for 60 'Righteous Among the Nations' diplomats. The bill, which had been passed by the House in June, was adopted just yesterday by the US Senate by acclamation. The Righteous include six Italians: Guelfo Zamboni, Giorgio Perlasca, Papa Roncalli, Angelo Rotta, Gennaro Verolino and Filippo Bernardini.
The initiative was attended by the US Special Envoy for Anti-Semitism, Amb. Deborah Lipstadt, and one of the two co-chairs of the promoting committee (Art Reidel), as well as representatives of the diplomatic community, members of the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly, and representatives of Jewish associations and think tanks. In 2022, Italy adopted the National Strategy for Combating Anti-Semitism with operational suggestions and concrete proposals available to parliament and all state administrations. Furthermore, 'Guidelines against anti-Semitism in schools' were adopted, while last year a Declaration of Intent was signed by the Minister of Sport, the Minister of the Interior, the National Anti-Semitism Coordinator and the President of the Italian Football Federation to combat anti-Semitism in football. There are also training programmes developed in cooperation with Yad Vashem in Jerusalem aimed at young diplomats, magistrates and police forces.
At the international level, Italy and 35 other countries and international organisations have adopted the Global Guidelines for Combating Anti-Semitism, approved at the meeting of national coordinators for the fight against anti-Semitism held in July in Buenos Aires, which was attended by the national coordinator for the fight against anti-Semitism Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto.
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