An estimated 300 Italian
Jews are expected to emigrate to Israel this year in the biggest
such exodus to the Jewish state from the peninsula in some 40
years, an Italo-Israeli demographer, Sergio Della Pergola,
disclosed Friday.
The figure represents 1.1% of Italy's Jewish population,
Pergola told ANSA.
While the number is relatively small, their demographic
impact on the Jewish community registered in Italy of some
25,000 is significant, he adds.
Those emigrating are motivated by the economic crisis in
Italy as well as "endemic" prejudice and anti-Semitism in the
media, on the Internet, and vast sectors of parliament, Pergola
said.
"We must give credit to the Italian government for taking a
clear stance on the matter, beginning with President (Giorgio)
Napolitano," he said.
"It is not the political class that is responsible, but
rather the mechanism that solders old prejudice against Jews to
the new anti-Semitism linked to the relations between the Jews
and Israel".
The anti-Semitism Italian Jews experience, however, is
nowhere near the physical danger Jews living in Israel currently
face.
"In Italy there almost zero attacks, but the discomfort
persists," Pergola said.
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