Brooklyn Pol Unjustly Denies Italian Activist Street Naming

Zachary Sansone

 This one hits close to home- literally. Bensonhurst and Borough Park (neighboring sections of Brooklyn) slightly overlap at some points. Borough Park is predominantly Orthodox/Hasidic Jewish, while Bensonhurst is predominantly Italian. Right on the border line between the two was a man called Zachary Sansone, an Italian who did an immense amount of good for his fellow Italians in the neighborhood.

Mr. Sansone was born an American, of Italian immigrants, in Brooklyn in 1912. When he was 12 years old, his family moved back to Napoli, where they remained until World War II. When the war broke out, Mr. Sansone contatced both Italian and American authorities in Italy and informed them that he was an American, and could not serve in the Italian army. America refused to let him back into the country and Italy refused to let him leave. Subsequently, Mr. Sansone was drafted into the Italian army and saw battle. After the war, Mr. Sansone rebuilt the town of Sant Antonio Abate, near Naples- and became the town's first democratically elected mayor.

Fast foward a few years- Sansone was able to emigrate to America, and re-settled in his native Brooklyn, on the border between Bensonhurst and Borough Park. There he helped establish the Congress of Italian American Organizations (CIAO) and, at the same time, established community centers for children and the elderly. He was a pillar of the community for decades until he passed away last June. Community leader Dominick Recchia proposed to have a street named after him in recognition of his great service to the area. Normally, minor things like street namings are approved with little fanfare and debate. But not this time.

Dov Hikind

Jewish Assemblyman Dov Hikind forced the naming to be delayed and quite possible barred forever because he has questioned Mr. Sansone's allegiance to America. Hikind is on record as saying that, “I think we don’t have enough information as to what Mr. Sansone’s role was in the fascist Italian army during the second World War. And pending that information, I think this matter should be held in abeyance.” Every article I have read about this story has always mentioned that Hikind was born to Holocaust survivors, implying a connection between Fascism, Nazism and the Holocaust.

I don't necessarily understand Dov Hikind's angle here- is he trying to casually say that Fascists were Nazis and played a role in the Holocaust? Or, is he trying to say that anyone who served in another country's army cannot be considered a full American? In either event, he would be dead wrong:

Giovanni Palatucci

1) If Hikind is trying to align Fascism with Nazism, then Hikind needs a history lesson. Italians did more for the Jews of Europe during WWII than any other nation. Many Italians hid native Jews in their homes, or defiantly objected to the Nazi's "final solution". One need not look further than the efforts of Giovanni Palatucci, who, as an administrator was tasked with identifying all Jews in his area and reporting back to German high command. Instead, he edited the necessary residence papers requested by law for the Jews. He began falsifying documents and visas for Jews. When Palatucci "officially deported" Jews, he arranged that they were sent to Campania. He told them to contact his uncle, the Catholic Bishop of Campania Giuseppe Maria Palatucci, who would offer them the greatest assistance possible.  He managed to destroy all documented records of the some 5,000 Jewish refugees living in the town, issuing them false papers and providing them with funds. Palatucci, who was killed by the Nazis for his effort, is currently in the process of being beatified.

One of my favorite quotes on Italian obstruction comes from a German officer charged with overseeing "the final solution" of Jews-

 “It is intolerable that the final solution of the Jewish question in the newly occupied territories should be made more difficult – and to a certain extent, collapse, because of the Italians, who are Germany’s allies." - Helmut Knochen, SS Stamdartenführer

Moreover, if Jews were imprisoned in Italy they were typically held in jail with non-armed guards, and given preferential treatment over actual criminals. Lastly, very few war crimes were committed by Fascists, and when Italy refused to fight with Nazi Germany, the Nazis occupied Italy and began killing/imprisoning Italians wholesale. Therefore, to align Fascism with Nazism is incorrect history. It is also frightening that an Assemblyman would actually use false information in such a manner to prove a point.

“We helped the Jews because they were human beings and we were not at war with innocent people.”- Vittoriano Manfredi, Italian Consul in Grenobl

2) I take umbridge to Hikind implying that all people who fought against America at some point, while in another country, are "lesser" Americans. To this day, I have yet to find a man who loved America more than my immigrant grandfather. He sang America's praises everyday, and lectured the entire family on how fortunate we all were to be born in America. One of my grandfather's favorite stories to tell was when he made his first return trip to Italy since coming to America. His family and friends rushed down to meet him at the landing dock. The first question he was asked? "Are the streets really paved with gold?" And my grandfather replied, "Yes." My grandfather made many return trips to Italy during his very long life, and every time he came back to Brooklyn he would say "Its good to be home, in America." I know many people born of immigrants that share this exact story with me.

So, Dov Hikind- how dare you malign Mr. Sansone. An otherwise patriotic and stand-up American citizen now has to clear his good name and answer your questions on his involvement with Fascists. You have unjustly smeared this man's name and his legacy. I find it hard to believe that the damage can be undone. But you can start by giving Mr. Sansone and his family the honor they deserve, and allow this street to bear his name.

Contact Dov Hikind and voice your concerns:

1310 48th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
718-853-9616
Fax: 718-436-5734