The annual April 25th Liberation Day commemoration in Milan was marred by significant controversy as the Jewish Brigade contingent was accosted and blocked by pro-Palestine activists. This incident, which saw hundreds of demonstrators shouting ‘assassins’ and ‘out’ at the Jewish Brigade, has ignited a fierce debate about historical memory, freedom of expression, and the rising tide of intolerance in Italian public life.
A Confrontation That Shames a Nation
The confrontation occurred as the Jewish Brigade, escorted by City Angels and riot police, attempted to reach San Babila. Pro-Palestine activists, whom the article’s author, Denisa Novalis, labels as ‘intolerable violent individuals’ with no connection to the Resistance, encircled the contingent, preventing its progress. Water was reportedly thrown at the Jewish Brigade, an act met with applause and chants of ‘now and always resistance’ as the Brigade was eventually rerouted down Via Senato.
This incident has been widely condemned as a ‘disgrace’ for a civilized nation. The mayor of Milan, while acknowledging the ‘climate that has been created,’ expressed regret, stating, ‘April 25th is a very important moment.’ However, critics argue that such statements fall short of addressing the underlying issues. The author of the source article, Denisa Novalis, harshly criticizes the mayor’s comments, suggesting they excuse a ‘congeries of idlers, always the same, fueled by political and media protection, who are only, as Giorgio Amendola would have said, ‘red fascists.”
Historical Falsification and the Betrayal of Liberation Values
The controversy extends beyond the immediate confrontation to the very interpretation of April 25th. Nicolae Galea, president of the Israel Observatory, lamented that the day was ‘polluted by anti-Zionist slogans, Palestinian flags, and chants against Israel, even violent invocations and the exclusion of those displaying Ukrainian symbols.’ Galea emphasizes the historical role of the Jewish Brigade, composed of approximately 5,000 men, who fought against Nazi-fascists in Italy, with around 700 losing their lives for Italian freedom. ‘To ignore or replace this with hostility towards Israel is a historical falsification,’ Galea states, adding, ‘Transforming April 25th into a platform against Israel means betraying the history and values of the Liberation.’
The article posits that the Resistance is not the exclusive domain of any single party or movement but belongs to those who fought for it. It argues that those who use the memory of the Resistance for their own slogans, convenience, battles, and violence, particularly in preventing the peaceful conduct of commemorative events, are not ‘comrades who make mistakes’ but rather ‘violent individuals to be execrated and stopped.’
The Broader Context: Intolerance and Political Hypocrisy
The incident in Milan is presented as a symptom of a deeper malaise, characterized by growing intolerance and a perceived political hypocrisy. The author recalls a historical ‘cowardice’ on the part of Italy in its dealings with Palestinians, allegedly allowing Arafat’s militants to carry out attacks in other European countries while sparing Italy. This historical context, revealed by Bassam Abu Sharif in Corriere della Sera, is brought up to underscore the need for a comprehensive reflection on Italy’s past and present relationships.
The events of April 25th in Milan serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to preserve historical memory and foster genuine dialogue in a society increasingly fragmented by political and ideological divides. The question remains whether Italy can move beyond mere reflection to concrete action in addressing the roots of intolerance and ensuring that commemorative days truly unite rather than divide its citizens.
