Immigration in Italy: Dreams Vs. Reality

Reuters last week carried a puff piece about how immigration benefits Italy, whilst dismissing legitimate fears over a rise in violent crime and being highly critical of Italy's new immigration reforms, which make being or helping an illegal immigrant a criminal offence.

For example; the fact that violent crime has risen by 17% in Italy since 2004 is apparently only a problem because Silvio Berlusconi's Northern League "whipped up fear" about it. Obviously, such things just aren't worthy of note unless you're on the far-Right.

If you believe that Italian left, then the reforms are evil. What is really needed, explain the Socialists, is to give immigrants (legal or otherwise) the vote - only that will completely end "racism and xenophobia" (i.e. observing reality and formulating policy accordingly) in Italian politics - not to mention completely destroy Italy as we know it, but you can't have everything, can you?

The Catholic Church compares not rescuing African asylum seekers at sea or towing them to Libya to "ignoring the Holocaust" (and let's be honest, they should know - when in Rome and all that).

Now we've established that Italians thinking the goodthink is more important than the existence of Italy itself, we are in a suitable place to ooh and aah because a team comprised of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrant children recently won an under-15 cricket competition:

Mass immigration, unheard of 20 years ago, is fast changing society. Last month an Italian team of children of migrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh won an under-15 European cricket title, making headlines and winning praise from politicians like Fini.

The team, some of whom face deportation unless they receive citizenship, dedicated the victory to Northern League leader Bossi.

"This is the first European title in the history of Italian cricket," said Italian Cricket Federation President Simone Gambino. "It shows immigrants bring prestige to our country, not just problems."

No - it shows that if a country imports large numbers of people who play cricket, some of them will, er, play cricket.

Of course, whether or not this change is desirable is the big question - but it is one that cannot be asked, let alone answered. Obviously, if one does not feel that such changes are desirable, then one is a racist, a Nazi, a knuckle-dragger.

The Left pretend there are two options - but you know you can really only pick one, lest the shrill screams begin.

Speaking of the downside of immigration to Italy, here is but one good example; a feminist politician punched in the face whilst protesting against the burqa as a form of oppression to women:

MILAN: Italian female politician protesting burquas punched by muslim in scuffle. (hat tip Adam)

Santanche is currently running a campaign in Italy to expose the burqua and veil as oppressive to women. She took the fight to the front line today, entering a muslim 'prayer meeting' and asking to speak to some women to tell them they were being oppressed by a male-dominated regime masquerading as a religion, and was subsequently attacked.

Google translation here.

Daniela Santanchè, leader of the Movement for Italy, was attacked and hit with a fist while expressing, in front of the Steam Factory in Milan, against the entry of women in burqas who came to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The riot police intervened and planning is identifying the assailant.

The Santanchè - has long engaged in a battle for integration and against Islamic

fundamentalism - had arrived this morning with the intent to prohibit the entry of women in burqas. In recent days Santanchè had appealed against the burqa as an act of solidarity and witness for the tragic death of the young Sanaa killed by her father for his affair with an Italian boy. Before the riots, inter alia, had told reporters: "The Italian law forbids that turns his face covered and must be respected.

I do not blame these poor women but with whom he sends and subdues. The burqa is a humiliation for women. Not by chance even in France - has continued Santanchè - are passing a law to prevent their use. The burqa is like female circumcision because they are instruments to cancel its deepest identity. "

The event continued in an atmosphere of great tension Some protesters also ripped a street sign trying to hit the group of protesters who were with Santanchè. Challenged the decision of the organizers who initially tried to bring women with burqa from a rear entrance. The Santanchè entered into a climate of tension escorted by police and demanded to speak with some women. Members of the Muslim community have condemned the attacks and insults towards the Santanchè but they also claimed the right of their women to wear the burqa.

Photo: Daniela Santanchè, leader of the Movement for Italy.

I wonder how many international news agencies covered this? Surely there must have been at least one...