The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, hosted today at the Italian Consulate General in New York the event “Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust,” to honor 60 diplomats – including 6 Italians – for their aid to Jews persecuted by the Nazis during the Second World War.
“The extraordinary example of these diplomats, who hid, protected, and saved persecuted Jews during the Holocaust, must serve as a lesson even today, to renew our common commitment to prevent and combat antisemitism,” emphasized the Ambassador in her speech, noting the concerning resurgence of antisemitism seen after October 7th. Zappia also added: “Today’s event is part of Italy’s strong commitment against all forms of antisemitism, both nationally and internationally.”
The event at the Consulate General was organized in collaboration with the organizing committee of a bipartisan legislative initiative, supported by numerous U.S. representatives and senators, aimed at establishing a Congressional Gold Medal for 60 diplomats recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations.” The bill, which was passed by the House in June, was unanimously adopted by the U.S. Senate just yesterday. Among the Righteous are six Italians: Guelfo Zamboni, Giorgio Perlasca, Pope Roncalli, Angelo Rotta, Gennaro Verolino, and Filippo Bernardini.
The event was attended by the U.S. Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, one of the two co-chairs of the organizing committee (Art Reidel), as well as representatives of the diplomatic community, members of the New York City Council and New York State Assembly, leaders of Jewish organizations, and think tanks.
In 2022, Italy adopted a National Strategy for the Fight Against Antisemitism, providing operational suggestions and concrete proposals to Parliament and the entire government. Additionally, Guidelines Against Antisemitism in Schools were adopted, and last year a Declaration of Intent was signed by the Minister for Sport, the Minister of the Interior, the National Antisemitism Coordinator, and the President of the Italian Football Federation to fight antisemitism in soccer. There are also training programs developed in collaboration with Yad Vashem in Jerusalem aimed at young diplomats, magistrates, and law enforcement officers. On the international stage, Italy and 35 other countries and international organizations adopted the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, approved during the meeting of National Coordinators for the Fight Against Antisemitism held in July in Buenos Aires, in which Italy’s National Coordinator for the Fight Against Antisemitism, General Pasquale Angelosanto, participated.
