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Antisemitism in Italy
Author(s): DellaPergola, Sergio
Date: 2015
Topics: Antisemitism, Attitudes to Jews, Demography, Main Topic: Antisemitism, Antisemitism: Attitude Surveys
Abstract: This paper focuses on the background and characteristics of antisemitic expressions and perceptions in Italy – not the largest but one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe. We provide a profile of the main characteristics of Italy's Jewish population and review the main themes and prejudices that have long permeated Italian society and public opinion regarding Jews in the country. Through a variety of recent sources we document the extant public knowledge and attitudes about Jews, attitudes about Israel, and perceptions of the diffusion of antisemitism among the general public. Perceptions of antisemitism among Italian Jews have been documented separately as part of the FRA study. Our purpose here is to contribute to a better assessment of the antisemitic syndrome, its sociological and political components, through the prism of the Italian case. In particular we demonstrate the extent of the phenomenon in a country where antisemitism, while not rated among the highest in Europe, is nevertheless a matter of concern. We also compare the actual socio-demographic profile of the Jewish population with the distorted perceptions of its rivals and detractors.