Italian Minister of Interior Dr. Mario Scelba has pledged to assist in the suppression of anti-Semitism in Italy as far as the jurisdiction of his office is concerned, it was learned here today. The pledge came following the submission to the Ministry of Justice of a number of suggestions by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities for punishing persons who incite others to anti-Semitic acts or who commit such acts themselves.
Fearing a new wave of anti-Semitism, the Union has appealed to the government to put into immediate effect those sections of the new penal code which pertain to anti-Jewish acts. The code itself will not become legally effective for a long time to come.
The sections which would affect the Jews provide for five years imprisonment for anyone who interferes with the enjoyment of political and civil rights of citizens because of their race, language, religion ect. Also, anyone who incites others to hatred or contempt for any group on the grounds of race and religion it liable to four years imprisonment. The Union asked that the punishment be increased for those who commit such acts or incitement for money.
Meanwhile, the Italian Parliament has adopted a law outlawing neo-fascist movements. One definition of such a movement is its propagandizing for racial discrimination. Although this law goes into immediate effect, it will become part of the penal code when the code becomes law.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
