A wave of anti-Israel sentiment, often carrying antisemitic undertones, has gripped Italy, spreading across politics, academia, culture and sports, leaving the Jewish community increasingly anxious.
Harsh criticisms and extreme statements against Israel have intensified, creating a tense atmosphere and heightening insecurity among Jews in the country. Recent months have seen a surge in blatant antisemitic incidents, fueling public outrage and genuine fear within Italy’s Jewish population.
On Tuesday, a disturbing new incident ignited a firestorm online and drew sharp political condemnation. Luca Nivarra, a law professor at the University of Palermo in Sicily, posted on Facebook, urging his followers to “unfriend all Jewish ‘friends,’ even the ‘good’ ones who claim to oppose the actions of the Israeli government and military.”
He argued that this act would be a “small but significant step” to make Jews “feel alone, isolated and forced to confront the monstrosity they are complicit in.” Nivarra claimed that “so-called ‘good Jews’ are lying and contributing to concealing the horror” of what he described as the “Palestinian Holocaust.”
Nivarra’s post was not an isolated outburst. In other posts, he declared that “there are no good Israelis” and that “Israeli society is steeped in moral rot.” He further wrote: “The only difference between Adolf Eichmann and the IDF is that Eichmann defended himself by saying he was following orders, while Israeli soldiers happily do what they do.”
These shocking statements prompted swift backlash. Massimo Midiri, the dean of the University of Palermo, distanced the institution from Nivarra’s remarks, calling them “a personal and culturally dangerous initiative, far removed from our academic principles.”
Midiri added, “Nivarra’s statements risk fueling the very dynamics he claims to oppose. Complex issues like the Middle East conflict require dialogue and critical engagement, not exclusion or ideological censorship.”
Italy’s University and Research Minister, Anna Maria Bernini, expressed outrage after discussions with Dean Midir. “His remarks not only insult the Jewish people but everyone who upholds values of respect and civil conduct,” she said.
The university also condemned both the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s military operations in Gaza, emphasizing its stance against “the atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Palestine.” The controversy underscores the growing challenge of antisemitism in Italy, as inflammatory rhetoric continues to strain community relations and spark heated debate.