Higher Education Minister Anna Maria Bernini was among the public figures to express solidarity for Emanuele Fiano, a Jewish former MP for the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) who was shouted down and prevented from speaking at a debate at Venice's Cà Foscari University on Monday by a group of pro-Palestinian protesters.
"I tried in every way to continue, but they kept talking over me and telling lies about me," Fiano told ANSA.
"The fascist principle they have in mind is that anyone who doesn't share their views shouldn't speak." ANSA learned on Tuesday that Bernini called Fiano on Monday to express her solidarity and invite him to return to the university with her to continue the debate.
"When one prevents a debate at a university, one strikes at the heart of democracy," Bernini said via X on Monday "Debate is the lifeblood of every free community.
Silencing someone means extinguishing a part of the freedom that belongs to everyone.
