Senate OKs harsher penalties for Holocaust denial

(ANSA) - Rome, February 11 - The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill harshening penalties for Holocaust denial with 234 votes in favor, three nays and eight abstaining. The draft measure, which now goes to the Lower House, amends a 1975 law against hate crimes upping jail terms by three years if propaganda and public instigation to commit acts of racial discrimination are based - entirely or in part - on the denial of the Holocaust, of crimes against humanity or war crimes.
    Members of the Italian Jewish community expressed satisfaction for the vote.
    The president of Rome's Jewish community, Riccardo Pacifici, said he was "moved.
    "This isn't a great day just for Jews and survivors but for all Italians", he noted in a statement.