The European Jewish Association (EJA) said Tuesday it is ‘’shocked and saddened’’ to learn of the passing of European Parliament President David Sassoli.
65-year-old Sassoli died at an hospital in Italy after a ‘’serious complication’’ related to his immune system, his spokesman said.
The EJA stressed that Sassoli had ‘’a life devoted to public service and to building a better Europe for all, regardless of political persuasion, faith, creed or colour.’’
‘’A Jewish proverb states: “Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.” We are thankful for the life of Mr Sassoli and extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this difficult time,’’ the Jewish group said.
EU Council President Charles Michel called Sassoli a “sincere and passionate European. We already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his friendliness and his smile.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she was “deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European and proud Italian.”
She described Sassoli as a “compassionate jounralist, an outsranding President of the European Parliament and a dear friend.”
Before entering politics in 2009 as a member of the Italian centre-left Democratic Party (PD), David Sassoli made a succesful career in journalism. In 2007, he became anchorman of TG1, the news broadcast of Rai, the public television, where he bacame one of the most notable and popular journalist in the country.
He was elected President of the European Parliament in July 2019.