I consoli italiani all’estero e il loro contributo per difendere e salvare gli ebrei

Abstract

In 1938, the Fascist Racial Laws were issued and an anti-Semitic feeling was purposedly spread in the country: yet, it did not catch deep in the Italian population, although some offices eagerly collaborated with the Nazis. There are many stories of ordinary (and uncommon) people who helped Jews to escape deportat ions and many Italians distinguished themselves into this mission: the best known are about fifty, ranging from Giorgio Perlasca who did his best like the more famous Oskar Schindler, to the lesser-known Alberto Calisse. Even some diplomats and consuls were overwhelmed by the Racial Laws because they were either Jews or openly hostile to Fascism. This article deals with the lives of Paolo Vita Finzi, writer and diplomat from Turin, Carlo Sforza, descendant from the ancient family of the dukes of Milan and Guido Segre, one of the most important Italian businessmen of the 20th century.