​On January 27, on occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day, the annual “Star of David” award ceremony took place at Teatro Politeama in Napoli, crowded with students. This initiative – in its 7th year – is promoted by the “Maurizio Valenzi Foundation” under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, and awards prizes to personalities or institutions which have distinguished themselves through service to others, beyond ideological, geographical or cultural barriers.

This year, the “Star of David for Civil Commitment” has been awarded to the Italian Navy for its constant commitment to safeguarding human life at sea in the Strait of Sicily. Lucia Valenzi, Chairwoman of the Valenzi Foundation, delivered the award to Vice-Admiral Donato Marzano, Logistics Commander of the Italian Navy, receiving the prize on behalf of Admiral Giuseppe de Giorgi, Chief of the Italian Navy.

The grounds for the award are the following: “Front-line of an emergency of unforeseeable dimension; pride of a Country for which the sea is vital for the preservation of its history and traditions. To the Italian Navy and its service members who, with courage, humanity and an extraordinary spirit of abnegation, have saved the life of thousands of people fleeing war, poverty and hunger”.

Admiral Marzano received the award “on behalf of all men and women who have taken part in the numerous operations conducted in the Strait of Sicily, aimed at rescuing migrants in peril at sea, and countering international terrorism and illegal activities, including human trafficking”. Then, addressing the audience, he highlighted the principle of solidarity underpinning the law of the sea, according to which “no one must be left behind”.

29 January 2016 Claudio Romano