Rome Jewish Leaders Ask for More Severe Sentences for Anti-semites

An amendment to the Italian penal code, to provide stiff jail sentences for persons committing anti-Semitic or other hate-stirring actions, was advocated here today at a meeting of lawyers and leading members of the Jewish community, held at the Jewish Community Center.

The amendment would strengthen as article in the penal code which, it was agreed by discussions at the meeting, does not provide sufficient protection to ethnic and religious minorities in Italy. Under the amendment, writing, publishing or the holding of public meetings for the purpose of stirring hatred against a religious or ethnic minority would be punishable, upon conviction, by a jail sentence of one to three years. If threats are pronounced against the lives of members of minority groups, the penalties would be heavier.