Italy’s Jews to Be Granted New Rights

Jews will have the right not to work Saturdays and to deduct religious contributions from their taxes under an agreement worked out by the Italian government and the nation’s Jewish community, a Jewish leader said Thursday.

The new accord, which still must be approved by Parliament, will establish the rights of Italy’s 35,000 to 40,000 Jews, 40% of whom live in Rome.

Tullia Zevi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Committees, said the 34-point agreement will replace a 1930 state law that regulated the activities of Italy’s Jews.

“This agreement protects against discrimination and guarantees respect for our religious requirements,” Zevi told reporters in a telephone interview.

The agreement is the latest in a series of accords between religious groups and the government, starting with the revised concordat signed with the Vatican in February, 1984, that formally ended Roman Catholicism as Italy’s state religion.

Funding Phased Out

Under that agreement, the government is phasing out its funding of the church, which will rely on tax deductible contributions.

Zevi said the agreement with the Jewish community recognizes the right of Jews not to work on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath. Lost hours can be made up Sunday or other days if necessary, she said.