Rivlin: Fini must recognize Italy's guilt

[Gimel]

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin yesterday criticized
the deputy prime minister of Italy, Gianfranco
Fini, for not condemning Italy's fascist past.

"As the speaker of the Knesset and as a former government
minister, I understand the importance of your visit,"
Rivlin told Fini during a meeting at the Knesset.
"However, I am first and foremost a Jew, and as a Jew
I cannot, and will never, accept what many European
peoples - including the Italian fascists - did to harm us."

Rivlin told his guest that it is impossible only
to hold the Nazis responsible for the Jewish
tragedy. "First, you have to come and
wholeheartedly say: We are guilty! And,
unfortunately, until now I have not heard
that," he said.

In response, Fini said he agreed responsibility
for the Holocaust rested not only with the
Germans, but with those who fed their people
racist ideas. "The memory of the Holocaust
should be heavy on the conscience of all those
who belonged to these groups," Fini said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/365053.html


In the person of the Speaker of the Knesset, the Jews of Israel question Fini's sincerety and comments about the Holocaust.

[bluesoul]

1. Fini has

lot to recognize. Not only regarding the Holocaust but Italy's fascist policy towards others (Slavs) as well, many of whom died in concentration camps in Italy and by Mussolini's army (the man he not long ago admired and now suddenly has changed his mind since he gained power) He can say whatever he likes, many of us are not fooled. I am glad the Speaker of the Knesset realises it as well...