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French Jewish tourist wearing kippah attacked twice in two days in Rome

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • A 22-year-old French Jewish tourist was subjected to two antisemitic assaults in Rome on consecutive days.
  • The victim was pepper-sprayed and later attacked by a group, with assailants shouting "Free Palestine" during both incidents.
  • Italian authorities have identified and referred a suspect for charges including battery aggravated by religious discrimination, while seeking to identify others involved.

A 22-year-old French Jewish tourist wearing a kippah became the target of two antisemitic assaults in Rome within a 24-hour period, sparking outrage and condemnation from Italian officials and Jewish community leaders. The attacks occurred in the historic center of the Italian capital on Friday and Saturday evenings.

In the first incident, the tourist was pepper-sprayed in Piazza Cairoli. The following evening, near Largo di Torre Argentina, he was cornered and kicked by a group of four individuals. During both assaults, the assailants shouted the slogan "Free Palestine." The victim identified one of the attackers from the second incident as the same person who had pepper-sprayed him the previous night.

Unfortunately, man-hunting, the hunting of the Jew, has arrived on the streets of Rome as well. As Italians, we hope we will not have to witness a reaction of growing indifference on the part of public opinion.

— Victor FadlunPresident of the Jewish community of Rome, commenting on the significance of the antisemitic assaults.

Following a formal complaint filed with the Carabinieri, authorities launched an investigation. They have identified a 31-year-old homeless Algerian man with a criminal record and referred him to the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office. He faces preliminary charges of battery aggravated by propaganda and incitement to crimes motivated by racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination. Efforts are ongoing to identify the other individuals involved in the group assault.

The incidents drew strong reactions. Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish community of Rome, expressed concern, stating, "Unfortunately, man-hunting, the hunting of the Jew, has arrived on the streets of Rome as well." Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa condemned the attacks, emphasizing that Italians "must never grow accustomed to such incidents" and that antisemitism "must always be recognized, condemned, and confronted firmly."

Italians “must never grow accustomed to such incidents,” and antisemitism “must always be recognized, condemned, and confronted firmly,”

— Ignazio La RussaItalian Senate President condemning the antisemitic aggression.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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