Barış Seçkin
02 October 2026•Update: 02 October 2026
Hundreds of people rallied in Milan on Thursday against a controversial antisemitism bill under consideration in Italy’s parliament, with Jewish groups joining calls to reject the legislation.
The bill, known as DDL 1004, was introduced by the far-right League party, a junior partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition government.
It would use criteria adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to define antisemitism. After passing the Senate in March, it is now before the Chamber of Deputies for final approval.
Demonstrators gathered outside the renowned La Scala Opera House, waving Palestinian flags, ringing bells and blowing whistles.
They held signs saying “No to the antisemitism bill,” “Criticizing Israel is not antisemitism” and “Protest is a right” while chanting “Free Palestine.” Some unfurled a large banner saying “One voice. No to Bill 1004.”
Speakers at the rally described the bill as dangerous, arguing that it equates criticism of Israel with racial hatred and could silence those criticizing the occupation and discrimination imposed on Palestinians.
Giulia, a member of the Jewish Anti-Racist Laboratory, told Anadolu that her group and other Jewish organizations oppose the bill, noting that Italy already has legislation against hate crimes, racism, discrimination and fascist propaganda under the 1993 Mancino law.
“We do not need a specific law based on the IHRA definition that treats criticism of Israel as antisemitism. We believe this law will increase antisemitism rather than prevent it, because it will silence dissent and solidarity with Palestine,” she said.
“We Jews can play a role by saying that this kind of legislation makes us feel less safe and leads us to believe that antisemitism will increase,” she added.
Bulgarian-born Italian Jewish artist Moni Ovadia also voiced strong opposition.
“This legislation persecutes Jews as well as people who are just and free. I will only say this: If Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud were alive today, they would be convicted under this law. So would (German-American historian and philosopher) Hannah Arendt,” he said.
Another protest against the bill is scheduled to take place outside the Chamber of Deputies in Rome on Friday.
