Matteo Slavini, leader of the "Liga" party in Italy, explains the reasons for the outbreak of anti-Semitism in Europe and declares: "When I will be recognized by Jerusalem as the capital of Israel"

• Matteo Celebini // Photo Archive: IPI

Stormy days pass Matteo Selbini, the leader of the National Right-wing party - who, if tomorrow's elections were held in Italy, would have been elected prime minister.

In six years, Celebini transformed "League" from the fringe party into Italy's largest right-wing party. He entered the government about a year and a half ago with the anti-establishment "Five Star" party as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Secretary, effectively acted to stop the mass illegal immigration from Africa to Italy, and left the government less than a year later, when it became clear that his coalition partners were "sanding" all His initiatives for change.

Trump signs decree against anti-Semitism and BDS // Photo: Twitter of the White House

In all the provincial elections held in Italy in the last two years, Salbini and the "League" won. In the European Parliament elections, "League" - very critical of the EU - achieved an impressive 34% of voters, a breakthrough that has caused panic in the EU, which fears another country's "barking".

Next Sunday, elections will be held in two counties considered the Italian left strongholds. Slavini, now in opposition, is investing all his energy in trying to bring about a historic upheaval there as well, which may lead to early parliamentary elections in Rome.

Political persecution

Fearing his victory, his political rivals are running the justice system against him: want to remove his immunity as a Senate member to prosecute the fact that the interior minister has prevented a "refugee" ship from docking in Italian ports, causing "illegal detention" of its passengers.

At the same time, an investigation is underway about funding that the "League" allegedly received from Russian sources. Celebini talks about legal-political persecution and compares his situation to that of US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose joint photograph of the two of Celebini's visit to Jerusalem a year ago hangs demonstratively over his desk in his Senate office in Rome.

We wrote with Eldad Beck (left) with Celebini // Photo: spokeswoman Matteo Celebini

"I have defended my country's borders, security and dignity, and I am proud of it," says Slavini in a first exclusive interview with Israeli media outlets. "Unfortunately, when the left, in the US like Israel and Italy, loses elections, it seeks revenge in the courts. But they will not succeed. "

In the midst of the important election campaign, Celebini turned to holding a debate in the Roman Senate on the new phenomenon of anti-Semitism, the one that lies behind anti-Israel.

The conference, attended by Israeli Ambassador to Italy Dr. Dror Eder and President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and State, Dr. Dori Gold, contributed to the public pressure brought by the Italian government - in which "Five Star" and Socialist-Democratic parties - adopt Friday's definition of international anti-Semitism .

"Adoption of the definition by Italy is important, to put an end to the hypocrisy of the left-wing parties that talk about boycotting Israel," Salbini emphasizes. "Now, among the parties sitting in government, there is support for the State of Palestine, Venezuela and Iran.

The definition of anti-Semitism will make it possible to clarify their positions, as in the case of BDS. There are those who fight for a state for the Palestinians, but deny the right to self-determination for the Jews. This contradiction is based on hypocrisy. Italy was too slow in adopting this international definition. "

75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, why are we experiencing an outbreak of anti-Semitism again in Europe?

"In my opinion, this has to do with the rise of Islamic extremism and fanaticism in recent years. It's very important to note that certain elements of academia and the media are mobilized against Israel, and they create hatred of Israel to justify anti-Semitism. There is, of course, anti-Semitism of small political minorities - Nazis and Communists.

But now the massive presence in Europe of immigrants coming from Muslim countries, among whom there are many fanatics who receive full support from certain intellectuals, is spreading anti-Semitism, even in Italy. "

But are we told that this anti-Semitism is linked to the strengthening of the new right-wing parties in Europe?

"There is anti-Semitism of the extreme right and there is institutionalized anti-Semitism of the extreme left. Think of Jeremy Corbyn or left-wing activists in Germany who did not want to be like the Nazis but find themselves confiscating Israeli products. However, I am sure the high number of Muslims in Europe is the reason The main one for contemporary anti-Semitism. "

You are accused of having links with anti-Semitic political organizations. What's your reaction?

"We have no connections with such organizations. In the (far right) party elections, such as 'Forza Nuva', 'Casa Pound' and 'Piame' are contending against us, so there is no connection with them."

You said at a Senate conference that hatred of Israel is a dangerous crime. How can the EU understand this and fight it?

"We need to start working on this in schools, among the young. I spent nine years in the European Parliament and I can say that European institutions - not to mention UN institutions, are not members of Israel. Therefore, I believe we should not focus on these institutions but on the new generations. Those who want to obliterate the State of Israel should know that we are their enemies. Israel is an ally. It has to be taught in schools and universities. "

Are you sorry you left the government?

"No. I would do it again. I'm sorry for one thing: that the current government is trying to break down our taxation, retirement and immigration reforms that have been very effective for Italy. But we will pass them again."

When you become prime minister, will Italy recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel?

"Yes, absolutely".

Should the EU ban the BDS activity as an anti-Semitic movement?

"Yes".

Should the EU join the US in adopting harsh sanctions on Iran and support the Iranian people's revolt against the Islamic regime?

"Yes. But to do that, we need a strong and free Europe, because today we are sadly hostages of economic interests and leftist prejudice against the US and against Israel."

Ambassador Dr. Dror Eder, Dori Gold and Celebini // Photo: Matro Celebini spokesmen

Dory Gold, formerly Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, met for a long private conversation with Celebini, who later told Israel Today that "we contributed through the Senate conference to discuss Italy on anti-Semitism. We did not hesitate to collaborate with Celebini.

When a European leader is ready to fight anti-Semitism, we should give him a shoulder and help him. Those who claim to be part of the problem do not read the situation correctly in Europe. Slavini is not an "Ubic" (neo-Nazi party in Hungary) Italian. He did not come from an anti-Semitic background. "

Gold went on to say that "Israel needs to create a test for European leaders: A leader who does not criticize Yad Vashem, which partially denies the Holocaust and is unwilling to fight anti-Semitism - fails this test. If we find that we are exploited, we will learn lessons. Of the Jewish people to put anti-Semitism in the corner and create new alliances in a changing Europe.

"Israel cannot give up Europe and must find new allies. There are great transformations, new leaders and there is room to see who these forces are and if they can cooperate with them."