The rate of intolerance against Muslims in Italy has increased. Migration from Islamic countries is a threat to the West according to 60.8% of the population, while Islam is viewed as an excessively traditionalist religion, unable to adapt to the present times (65.5%). The perception of Jews has remained more or less the same compared to ten years ago, signalling that in social imagery they are a fixed element not conditioned by current events, politics or the economy, according to a survey presented in Rome on September 26 titled “Opinions and stereotyping of the Italian population: from immigrants to Jews”, conducted by the CDEC Foundation (Contemporary Jewish documentation Centre) and by IPSOS market research and consulting firm. The theme of migration is considered the third most important priority in the Country, spontaneously mentioned by respondents, following employment and institution crises. While in 2012 migration was considered “reason for concern” only by 1% of respondents, in 2017 figures peaked to 35%.
Too many immigrants. According to findings, many Italian citizens believe that there are too many immigrants in the country (41.8% totally agree, 28.2% partly agree). Furthermore, immigration has exerted a strain on public services (37.6% totally agree, 32.9% partly agree), while the “immigrants’ presence has made it harder to find a job” (21% totally agree, 22% partly agree). However, as many as 25% have a positive opinion. Accordingly, immigration benefits the economy and contributes to making the Country less narrow-minded.
Reception. The research shows that two groups, although registering equal percentages, have opposite views. In fact while according to the first group reception should be offered to all migrants since they are people fleeing hunger or war (25.4%), for another group (24%) they should all be sent back because Italy can receive no more migrants. Amidst them, the majority (44.4%) deem it necessary to give hospitality only to political refugees. A majority of respondents who expressed a strong anti-immigrant stance (22.8%) live in the north-eastern regions, are citizens over-50, people with low educational attainment and members of the middle and low classes, factory workers, unemployed persons, housewives, and those who described themselves as right-winged.
A threat ro the West. Moreover, the research shows that multiculturalism is not not convincing and many respondents conveyed the need to be reassured: for 54% minority cultures should adapt to the majority culture.
For 60.8% of respondents migration from Islamic Countries is a “threat to the West”
and that Islam is an excessively traditionalist religion, unable to adapt to the present times (65.5%). However 44.7% think that Muslims have the right to build their mosques in Italy, (this opinion is not shared by 31.8%). This figure signals a certain degree of tolerance towards the Muslim faithful. A high number of respondents (60%) would like to see the participation of the Muslim community in countering Jihadi terrorism.
Judaism. As relates to Judaism and the Jewish population, the opinion and the perception of Italians has remained unchanged compared to ten years ago. However, the research signals a remarkably poor knowledge of the Jews and of Judaism on the part of the Italian population. For example, 54.4% of respondents don’t know how many Jews there are in Italy: approximately 25% overestimated the real figures (from 100.000 to over a million), while only 10% gave a more or less accurate reply (i.e., 23.900, 13.000 of whom in Rome). “Furthermore –said Nando Pagnoncelli, IPSOS Chairman – when exposed to a set prejudices and stereotype against Jews, a high number of respondents have no opinion. This means that despite the radical changes occurred in the Country over the past 10 years, the onset of widespread defensive attitudes and of the perception that they are facing a threat, the findings show that these feelings are not nurtured against Jews.”
Unfriendliness and hostility. The deep changes in Italian people’s perception of the migratory phenomenon and immigrants are due to two main reasons: “One the one side the migration flows and on the other acts of terrorism at international level have determined attitudes of caution, unfriendliness and in some cases of hostility, especially against the Islamic world and against Islam”, Pagnoncelli pointed out.
A “cross-eyed” Italy emerges from the research. “There is a tendency to have different opinions at local and personal level”, clarified the IPSOS chairman. “For example, take the economic situation in the Country”, he said. “while until 2013 a majority of Italians believed that the Country was going through a downturn, although individual conditions were not as negative, today the opposite is true. In other words, people think that the Country is overcoming the crisis but individuals say they don’t understand why their sons or daughters can’t find a job and find it hard to make ends meet. This is a cross-eyed perception, with two conflicting outlooks.”
Intolerance. The area of immigration is “affected by serious forms of cross-eyed perception”, this was true at least until 4-5 years ago. “There was widespread concern over immigration, but when these people were asked ‘have you ever met a migrant person’?, the answers in everyday life led to the full acceptance of this phenomenon, which in some case was one of utter inclusion for migrants were superficially identified with the caregivers of older family members.” Today things have changed. “An attitude of intolerance has wormed its way through; people think that too many migrants have arrived into the Country; that immigrants will take their jobs. They see them as competitors in accessing public services. Moreover there is an aspect that is strictly linked to security, to the risk of terror attacks, and recently, also to diseases. Sadly– Pagnoncelli concluded – this is all due to misinformation.”
