How the Albanese case highlighted the big issue of anti-Semitism in Italy

On July 9, 2025, the US State Department sanctioned Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories. As indicated in the DOS statement, “Albanese has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West.”

Among other things, “she has recently escalated this effort by writing threatening letters to dozens of entities worldwide, including major American companies across finance, technology, defense, energy, and hospitality, making extreme and unfounded accusations and recommending the ICC pursue investigations and prosecutions of these companies and their executives.” Such actions, which are clearly outside of Albanese’s role as “special rapporteur”, have been described by the DOS as “political and economic warfare which threaten US national interests and sovereignty”.

On July 11, European Union spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated that the EU deeply regrets the US decision to impose sanctions on Albanese, adding that “the European Union strongly supports the United Nations human rights system.”

Who else defended Albanese? The Iranian regime, and Hamas. As a matter of fact, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, wrote on his X account that “Truth cannot be suppressed by sanctions…Francesca Albanese is bullied and sanctioned for telling the truth and for standing up against genocide, occupation and apartheid”.

Then came Hamas, criticizing the sanctions and calling them “a blatant expression of the American administration’s flagrant bias in favor of Zionist war crimes”.

Paradoxically, the Iranian and Hamas support for Albanese may actually reinforce the accusations made against her by the US and Israel, rather than helping her.

Considering that Albanese is an Italian citizen, what were the reactions within the political arena of her home country?

Up until now, the Meloni government hasn’t made any comment on the issue. Neither in favor nor against it. On the other hand, the left-wing opposition strongly criticized the sanctioning, accusing the Italian government of remaining silent and asking for an explanation to be delivered in Parliament.

The Democratic Party (PD) secretary, Elly Schlein, labelled the US DOS action as “another attack on multilateralism by Trump” and “a confirmation of his support for Netanyahu’s criminal plan in Palestine”.

AVS leaders Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli launched an online petition in support of Albanese, while Bonelli also suggested nominating her for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Five-Star Movement MP, Stefania Ascari, announced the submission of an inquiry to the government to clarify the UN report, “From the Economy of Occupation to the Economy of Genocide.”

It is worth recalling that Fratoianni and Ascari sponsored on several occasions the activities of Mohammad Hannoun, a Genoa-based Palestinian activist who was sanctioned twice in eight months by the US Department of Treasury (October 2024 and June 2025), accused of being Hamas’ money collector in Italy. Strangely enough, the bank account of his association remains active, regardless of the sanctions.

Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five-Star Movement, wrote on his X account that “Albanese is a nuisance” and that “instead of imposing sanctions on Netanyahu’s criminal government, the United States is announcing sanctions against Francesca Albanese, trying to muzzle anyone who raises their voices and their heads”. Conte also accused the Meloni government of silence on the issue.

Just for the record, in March 2025, Conte told the Italian Jews to dissociate themselves from the actions of the Israeli government. The statement sparked indignation, particularly from the Jewish communities of Rome and Milan and from numerous political figures, who called the M5S leader’s statements discriminatory and potentially anti-Semitic.

In May 2025, shortly after the terror attack perpetrated by a far-left terrorist who shot to death two staff members of the Embassy of Israel in Washington, Conte stated that “the Israeli government was responsible for those actions that feed hate and violence.”

On Sunday, July 6, the president of Milan’s Jewish community, Walker Meghnagi, released a statement to the Italian press agencies regarding the increasing wave of anti-Semitism that has been ongoing in Italy from October 7, 2023 onwards (including the posters featuring a Nazi soldier with a Star of David on his arm, instead of a swastika, recently found in Rome’s Trastevere and Presentina areas) and he pointed the finger against that same political area that is backing Albanese:

“Everything that’s happening in our country is due to one political faction. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte is now constantly making anti-Israel statements. Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein does the same. Not to mention spokespeople for the Green and Left Alliance, Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni.”

Meghnagi also said: “The legislation regarding so-called hate crimes is insufficient; it neither protects nor prevents. We see this every day. Furthermore, we need an awareness campaign against anti-Semitism aimed at prevention…We are seriously concerned about what is happening and would like the legislator to urgently address this emergency. In recent weeks, there has been a steady stream of incidents that put the safety of Jews at risk. Action must be taken as soon as possible…There is a Commission against anti-Semitism, created thanks to Liliana Segre. Let it act. General Angelosanto, a very good man, has been appointed by the government as National Coordinator for the Fight against Anti-Semitism. Let him do something. Let’s not wait until we reach a situation even more worrying than the current one.”

This is not the first time that Jewish communities have denounced an increasingly unsustainable situation and the failure of those who should be taking action to stem the wave of anti-Semitism in Italy. This wave has led to blacklists of Jews and “Zionists” spread by far-left groups and parades featuring photos of “Zionist agents” in perfect 1930s-style Germany.

However, the Italian authorities seem paralyzed by an inexplicable inaction, with all the potential and dramatic consequences. If the idea is to let the protesters vent their anger so as not to further fuel social tensions, this is a highly flawed strategy.

It’s fair to say that Italian political reactions to the Albanese affair currently reflect the situation on the ground. On one side, the left-wing political formations that are openly siding with Albanese; the same ones accused by Meghnagi of fueling tensions and hatred towards Israel and the Jews.

On the other side, silence, inaction. The Italian government could implement measures to counter the rampant wave of anti-Semitism, but so far not much has been done. For instance, the website of the “clandestine formation” Italian New Communist Party (very well known to the Italian authorities) which has been posting and spreading the previously cited blacklists and promoting the overthrow of the Meloni government and the establishment of a Communist regime, is still online and constantly updated. No news of any arrest has yet reached our ears. The Jewish communities of Rome and Milan are still waiting for those responsible for the anti-Semitic posters distributed in Rome and Milan to be identified.

In conclusion, the Italian political reactions (and non-reactions) to the Albanese case show one thing: that Italy must do more, much more, to combat anti-Semitism and hatred against Israel.