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Italy kingmaker's anti-Jewish views under scrutiny
By FRANCES D'EMILIO | Associated Press – 6 hrs ago
ROME (AP) — Comic Beppe Grillo's populist tirades were seen as a benign outlet for popular anger in the days his protest movement was a sideshow in Italian politics. Now that he's one of Italy's most powerful figures, his views are coming under greater scrutiny — and a history of anti-Semitic statements has started to raise concern outside the country.
Grillo's 5-Star Movement captured a quarter of the votes in last month's national elections, making him the kingmaker in a ballot that left none of the mainstream parties in control of Parliament. Given that political clout, foreign observers have expressed alarm over comments Grillo has made about a Jewish lobby controlling information, about Jewish Hollywood producers out to get actor Mel Gibson and about how he finds Israel "frightening."
The statements have yet to create much of a stir in Italy itself, where anti-Jewish and other racial slurs can find a surprisingly high level of tolerance. But anti-defamation advocates say Grillo must now be held to account due to his new position of power.
"As an entertainer, he was only accountable to his public. Now, he's accountable to all of the people of Italy and his antics and ravings about Jews and Israel become a much more serious concern," said Michael Salberg, New York-based director of international affairs for the Anti-Defamation League.
More: http://news.yahoo.com/italy-kingmakers-anti-jewish-views-under-scrutiny-153545970.html;_ylt=AwrNUbEuIzlReEcAPEHQtDMD
ROME (AP) — Comic Beppe Grillo's populist tirades were seen as a benign outlet for popular anger in the days his protest movement was a sideshow in Italian politics. Now that he's one of Italy's most powerful figures, his views are coming under greater scrutiny — and a history of anti-Semitic statements has started to raise concern outside the country.
Grillo's 5-Star Movement captured a quarter of the votes in last month's national elections, making him the kingmaker in a ballot that left none of the mainstream parties in control of Parliament. Given that political clout, foreign observers have expressed alarm over comments Grillo has made about a Jewish lobby controlling information, about Jewish Hollywood producers out to get actor Mel Gibson and about how he finds Israel "frightening."
The statements have yet to create much of a stir in Italy itself, where anti-Jewish and other racial slurs can find a surprisingly high level of tolerance. But anti-defamation advocates say Grillo must now be held to account due to his new position of power.
"As an entertainer, he was only accountable to his public. Now, he's accountable to all of the people of Italy and his antics and ravings about Jews and Israel become a much more serious concern," said Michael Salberg, New York-based director of international affairs for the Anti-Defamation League.
More: http://news.yahoo.com/italy-kingmakers-anti-jewish-views-under-scrutiny-153545970.html;_ylt=AwrNUbEuIzlReEcAPEHQtDMD
Sometimes I'm just a little bit incredulous at the persistence of antisemitism in society...I start to think it will never end.
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