UN expert Albanese, protesters warn against Italy’s anti-Semitism bill

What the report says

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Italy’s parliament in Rome on Wednesday to oppose a bill they say could narrow criticism of Israel under the banner of fighting anti-Semitism. The demonstration came as the Chamber of Deputies’ Constitutional Affairs Committee reviewed legislation that had already passed the Senate and still needs approval in both chambers to become law. Organizers and activists argued the proposal could affect schools, universities, cultural groups and online platforms.

In remarks to Al Jazeera, Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, said laws that blur the line between criticism of a state and anti-Semitism risk restricting free expression. She warned that the measure could make it harder to analyse, document and criticise Israel’s actions. Amnesty International Italy and other critics said the bill would effectively embed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism into national law in a way that could be used to censor political speech. They instead backed the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, a non-binding alternative focused on protecting expression while opposing anti-Jewish hate.

Supporters of the bill, including leaders of Italy’s Jewish institutions, say legal action against anti-Semitism is necessary and urgent. The debate has also exposed political divisions, with some opposition figures backing the measure and others strongly opposing it. The committee session ended without a vote, and parliament is now working toward a planned plenary vote on October 2.