A general view of the lower house of the parliament in session in Rome, Italy, March 5, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Matteo Minnella

Italy’s Democratic Party did not take part in a parliamentary committee vote on Wednesday on a highly contested bill against antisemitism, highlighting divisions on the left over a law seen by skeptics as potentially curbing criticism of Israel.

A PD source said the party considered the definition of antisemitism included in the bill was “divisive” and urged the right-wing ruling coalition backing it to change its formulation, but this call is likely to fall on deaf ears.

The bill would write into law the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which lists certain criticisms of Israel as examples of antisemitism.

IHRA — an intergovernmental organization comprising dozens of countries — adopted the “working definition” of antisemitism in 2016. Since then, the definition has been widely accepted by Jewish groups and lawmakers across the political spectrum, and it is now used by hundreds of governing institutions, including the US State Department, European Union, and United Nations. Dozens of countries have adopted it as a guide, and law enforcement also uses it as a tool for matters such as hate-crime investigations and sentencing.

Beyond traditional antisemitic acts associated with the medieval period and Nazi Germany, the definition provides contemporary examples of antisemitism found in public life, media, education, workplaces, and religious settings — including Holocaust denial and modern forms targeting Israel, such as demonizing the Jewish state and denying its right to exist.

Critics say this definition could restrict freedom of expression, censoring legitimate activism for Palestinian rights and contributing to conflating Jews with the state of Israel.

The dispute reflects broader differences on the Italian left over the war in Gaza. The PD has condemned the violence but adopted a more cautious tone than its allies, the Five Star Movement and the Green Left Alliance (AVS), which have falsely accused Israel of genocide. Israel adamantly denies charges of genocide, noting it specifically targets Hamas terrorists in Gaza and goes to extensive lengths to try and avoid civilian casualties.

APPEAL TO CHANGE

Most PD lawmakers abstained when the bill passed the Senate earlier this year, but a small group voted in favor, exposing divisions within the party. The bill is now due to obtain final approval at the lower house Chamber.

“We call on the majority to heed our appeal to change that divisive definition and make it clear that those who criticize the actions of the Israeli government cannot be accused of antisemitism,” PD lower house leader Chiara Braga said last week.

Party member Emanuele Fiano, the son of an Auschwitz survivor who supports the bill, criticized the PD‘s decision not to back it, saying: “I will not accept the fight against antisemitism being portrayed as an obstacle to criticism of [Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government, the Israeli military or violence by settlers.”

The AVS and Five Star voted against the proposal.

“There is no doubt that on an issue such as antisemitism it would be desirable to have a unanimous vote, but there is equally no doubt that this bill needs to be changed because it is fundamentally flawed,” AVS co-leader Nicola Fratoianni said.

Supporters of the bill say stronger safeguards are needed following a rise in antisemitic incidents after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war. Italy’s Antisemitism Observatory recorded a record 963 cases in 2025, more than double the number reported in 2022.