Italy: Jewish tourist attacked in Rome for wearing kippah
Rome, Aug 11 (IANS) A Jewish tourist was attacked in Italy for wearing a kippah, the national military police force reported.
A 22‑year‑old French tourist of Jewish faith was assaulted in the centre of Rome. Authorities said a 31‑year‑old Algerian citizen, who is homeless and has previous convictions with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rome, was involved in the attack.
He is strongly suspected, in complicity with other persons currently being identified, of two distinct episodes of assault and propaganda and incitement to commit crimes for reasons of racial, ethnic and religious discrimination, Italian news agency Adnkronos reported.
The tourist said he was targeted on two separate occasions while walking in the historic centre wearing a kippah. The first incident occurred on August 7 around 8 PM in Piazza Cairoli, when he was allegedly hit in the face with an irritating spray deployed by the 31‑year‑old.
The second took place the next day around 8:15 PM in Largo di Torre Argentina, when the victim was kicked by a group of four people, among whom the 31‑year‑old was recognised.
In both circumstances, according to the complainant, the attackers allegedly shouted the slogan “Free Palestine”. Military investigations are ongoing to ascertain the identity of the other members of the group.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victim and the Jewish community.
“I strongly condemn the antisemitic aggression against a young French tourist of the Jewish faith, targeted in the centre of Rome simply because he was wearing a kippah. To him and to the entire Jewish community goes my full solidarity,” Tajani stated on X.
“We cannot accept that antisemitism and hatred against Jews find space in our cities and in our society. We must react united, never underestimating or tolerating these episodes. Italy is and will always be on the side of religious freedom, respect and coexistence,” he added.
–IANS
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