AGI – “I’m on the radio too” he’s in the storm. The Rai program has ended up in the crosshairs of political controversy because this morning, at the opening of its connection to the broadcasts, Senator Ester Mieli she was heard asking by host Giorgio Zanchini if she were Jewish. “A request – say the members of the Brothers of Italy in the RAI Supervisory Commission – which, in addition to bringing to mind gloomy memories, is unacceptable and intolerable especially in a moment like this one pervaded by an increasingly rampant anti-Semitism, fueled within the Universities by left-wing extremists towards whom we still await words of condemnation from the left and in particular from the Democratic Party and Elly Schlein. We renew our solidarity with my colleague Mieli, and we hope that these words of ours will be followed by those of all other political forces”.
“I find what happened this morning to Fratelli d’Italia senator Ester Mieli, guest on a Rai radio program, really serious and disturbing – he commented the president of the SenateIgnazio La Russa -. For weeks there have been successive demonstrations of intolerance towards Israel and the Jews throughout Italy and a question like the one posed by the presenter is completely unacceptable.” “A person’s opinion cannot in any way be linked to the religion they profess . My sincere solidarity and affectionate closeness goes to my friend Ester Mieli and the Jewish community – concluded La Russa”.
“On behalf of the entire supervisory commission, unanimously, I express full solidarity with Senator Ester Mieli for what happened this morning in a Rai radio broadcast – explained the president of the Rai supervisory commission Barbara Florida -. Being asked a direct question about one’s religious faith represents a violation of the most intimate sphere, made even more serious by the journalist’s intention to connect his colleague’s opinion to her religious belief.”
Zanchini: “it would be incorrect to pass myself off as anti-Semitic”
Is he mortified? “I am. I apologize to the FdI senator, Ester Mieli, but I don’t deserve to pass myself off as an anti-Semite. It’s unfair, incorrect. I lived in Jewish homes for four years, I was sent, embedded, with the Israeli army I remain a friend of Israel and always will be.” Thus the host of ‘Radio Anch’io’, Giorgio Zanchini, interviewed by ‘Il Foglio’, after this morning’s episode.
“None, the question was not intended to be offensive. Far from it” he added. And he sent word to Senator Mieli that “I express solidarity with her, that my intention was the opposite, that I didn’t want to hurt her. Far from it”.
“I wanted to make it clear what a hostile climate the Jews breathe – explained the journalist – I asked Professor Driessen if he was Jewish and I asked the same question to the senator. I only asked it to make the climate clear. If you listen to the broadcast is understandable. I am now terrified of asking a deputy whether he is Catholic or not. They want to hang me, but I certainly didn’t want to denigrate anyone.”
Don’t you think you raised your voice, that you exaggerated, after the question? “I felt overwhelmed by Senator Mieli, in a few seconds. I immediately apologized. I repeat, my intention was the opposite. I have already called the Israeli embassy. My aunt’s husband died of a heart attack after the racial laws. If there is anyone close to Israel, it’s me” Zanchini reiterated.
Solidarity with the senator also came from Action leader, Carlo Calenda: “I find it senseless, illogical and unacceptable that in order to express one’s opinion it is necessary to specify one’s beliefs.”
For the deputy of Italia Viva Maria Elena Boschivice-president of the Rai supervisory commission, “a parliamentarian of the Republic judges the protests in the universities and in the squares on the basis of politics and the law, the religion one professes has nothing to do with it. The journalist’s request to explain his opinion is therefore surprising confession before commenting on the events of recent days”.
“This morning, during the meeting of the Rai Supervisory Commission, I expressed full closeness and solidarity to Senator Ester Mieli, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the entire Democratic Party group, for what happened this morning in a Rai radio broadcast – he stated in a note the senator Francesco Verducci, member of the Rai Supervisory Commission -. Categorizing a person based on their religious beliefs is something dangerous and unacceptable towards any person and any religious belief. In the climate we live in, of continuous stigmatization that fuels prejudice, misinformation and discrimination, it is essential to have a language of respect, which is not and does not appear harsh. For this reason we have asked that the Supervisory Commission carry out a work session on inclusive and non-discriminatory language, which is all the more important during electoral campaigns”.
