La Russa: “I find what happened this morning to Fratelli d’Italia senator Ester Miel really serious and disturbing”
“Senator, are you Jewish?“. This is the question posed this morning, on Radio Anch’io on Rai Radio 1, by the host Giorgio Zanchini to FdI senator Ester Mieli. The program discussed protests against Israel in Italian universities and American campuses. The preliminary question posed by the host provoked a reaction from Mieli, who replied: “But do you ask all the guests what religion they are? Are you Catholic or evangelical? I don’t think some things because I am of the Jewish religion and respect and freedom apply to everyone and religion has nothing to do with it” and “my thoughts are not bound to my being Jewish”. The Rai journalist then explained that the question it was posed to clarify “the guest’s point of view” and “because I imagine that his sensitivity towards the American protests is a little more acute”, to finally admit on air that “I was wrong, I won’t ask again”. The case also reached the Rai Supervisory Commission: in this morning’s session – according to what LaPresse understands – the FdI deputies have asked to audit the Rai top management on this too, and also the journalist. At that point the opposition asked to reevaluate the previous vote with which the commission rejected the request for a hearing by Corsini and Bortone.
“I find what happened this morning to Fratelli d’Italia senator Ester Mieli, guest on a Rai radio program, really serious and disturbing”, says the president of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa. “For weeks – he continues – there have been successive demonstrations of intolerance towards Israel and the Jews throughout Italy and a question like the one posed by the host 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 – concludes La Russa”.
The CEO of Rai Roberto Sergio – according to what beraking latest news understands – contacted the Senator by telephone Mieli to apologize after what happened this morning in the Radio Rai1 program “Radio Anch’io”.