An ultra-Orthodox man was stabbed Thursday in the heart of Milan, Italy 20 meters from his home this week, leading police to boost security at the city's Jewish sites.
Natan Graf, a husband and father in his forties who holds Israeli citizenship, was stabbed nine times after leaving the kosher restaurant Carmel on his way home. He sustained light to moderate injuries.
- Members of the Jewish community in Milan said Graff was wearing a kippa at the time of the attack.
Several young Israeli students standing not far from the scene heard the Graf's screams and came to his aid while the attacker, who they said appeared to be Arab, fled with a waiting accomplice, according to Rabbi Moshe Shaikevitz, director of Beit Chabad-Milan Jewish Center.
“There is always police protection outside the community school, the Chabad school, synagogues and other Jewish institutions, and there is also a local Jewish protection group,” explained Shaikevitz. “We all hope and pray nothing like this happens again.”
One of the leaders of the Jewish community in Milan, Raffaelo Baso, said that "the attack took place near our community. In the past we received threats, but this is the first time such an incident has occured in Italy."
The attacker has not yet been apprehended.
At the same time, Milan police examined a suspicious object discovered near the restaurant.
Reuters contributed to this report.