Politics · Italy · 8 hrs ago
Rome Jewish community asks ANPI to stay away from October 16 memorial
The Jewish Community of Rome has asked ANPI not to attend its October 16 commemoration of the 1943 Nazi roundup of Jews in the city’s former ghetto.
Community president Victor Fadlun called the date especially painful for Roman Jews and said the memorial should not become a source of further division.
He cited disputes at April 25 events, where Israeli and Jewish Brigade flags were challenged, and accused some people in the crowds of being accommodating toward pro-Palestinian violence.
The request follows tensions over April 25 commemorations and the Jewish Brigade’s role in Italy’s liberation.
In late July, ANPI and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities reached an agreement recognising shared opposition to fascism and the right of Jewish participants to attend April 25 events safely.
They had also pledged to keep talking about future commemorations.
A flower wreath will be laid at the former ghetto, while the request has put the groups’ efforts at dialogue under strain.
Rome’s Jewish community has asked the National Association of Italian Partisans, known as ANPI, not to attend its October 16 commemoration.
Community president Victor Fadlun said the date marks the most painful day in the history of Rome’s Jews and should not become a source of further divisions.
He cited disputes over Israeli and Jewish Brigade flags at April 25 events and what he called tolerance of pro-Palestinian violence.
The commemoration will include a wreath-laying at the site of Rome’s former ghetto.
The request comes after ANPI and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities reached an agreement in late July to continue dialogue.
- Who
- Rome’s Jewish community, represented by president Victor Fadlun, asked ANPI to stay away from the commemoration.
- What
- The community asked ANPI not to attend its October 16 memorial for the roundup of Rome’s Jews.
- When
- The request was reported on October 14, 2026. The commemoration is scheduled for October 16.
- Where
- The former Jewish ghetto in Rome.
- Why
- Fadlun said the date is deeply painful and should not become a source of further divisions. He cited disputes over Jewish participation in April 25 commemorations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nazi troops rounded up Jews in Rome during the occupation of the capital.
Disputes over Israeli and Jewish Brigade flags at commemorations contributed to tensions cited by Fadlun.
ANPI and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities reached an agreement on shared anti-fascist values and Jewish participation in April 25 events.
The Rome Jewish community’s request that ANPI stay away from the October 16 commemoration was reported.
A wreath-laying is planned at the former ghetto in Rome.
- Commemoration date
- October 16
- Location
- Former Jewish ghetto, Rome
- Community president
- Victor Fadlun
- Organization asked to stay away
- ANPI
- Agreement
- ANPI and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities reached an agreement in late July 2026
What people are saying
October 16 is the most painful day in the history of Rome’s Jews.
October 16 cannot become a place for new divisions.
We ask ANPI not to participate in our commemorations.
We have a duty to respect and protect the pain of the deportees’ families.