Fini issues apology to Jews

Italy's deputy prime minister, Gianfranco Fini, apologised yesterday for fascism's persecution of the Jews, a move that may clear the way for a first visit to Israel by the leader of the National Alliance, the Italian party that traces its roots back to Benito Mussolini's wartime regime.

"As an Italian I must accept the responsibility in the name of the Italians, this is something that I must do," Mr Fini said in an interview with Ha'aretz.

"Italians bear responsibility for what happened after 1938, when the race laws were promulgated. They have an historic responsibility, which is written in our history, and a responsibility now to take a position and ask forgiveness."

Mr Fini, who represents Italy on the international commission drafting a new constitution for the European Union, has been at pains to distance himself from the legacy of fascism since he gave an infamous newspaper interview a decade ago describing Mussolini as the greatest statesman of the last century.