An antisemitic incident in Rome has drawn widespread condemnation from across Italy’s political spectrum. Earlier this week, masked individuals vandalized the walls of Beit Michael Synagogue in the Monteverde neighborhood and desecrated a memorial plaque honoring Stefano Gaj Taché, a two-year-old Jewish boy murdered in a Palestinian terror attack on October 9, 1982.
Graffiti swas prayed on the synagogue and the plaque included slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Monteverde is anti-Zionist and anti-fascist.” The attack came just one day after a pro-Palestinian demonstration was held outside the synagogue.
Victor Fadlun, president of Rome’s Jewish community, said the vandalism was part of an intimidation campaign. “This synagogue is dedicated to Stefano Gaj Taché, a two-year-old murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the 1982 attack on the Great Synagogue. This is all part of a broader campaign of fear—just like the attack on the editorial offices of La Stampa in Turin,” he said. “Antisemitism has become a political protest tool. We trust the police but call for government intervention to stop this spiral of hate.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the act as “unacceptable,” calling antisemitism “a violent virus that must be eradicated from Europe and especially from Italy.” He stressed the importance of distinguishing between criticism of the Israeli government and attacks on Jews. Tajani also expressed solidarity with Rome’s Jewish community on behalf of the Italian government and his party, Forza Italia.
President Sergio Mattarella and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri also personally contacted Fadlun to express their support.
The synagogue desecration follows another controversy in Turin, where pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the offices of La Stampa, one of Italy’s oldest and most respected newspapers. The newsroom was empty at the time due to a nationwide journalists’ strike. Protesters vandalized the office and sprayed slogans accusing the outlet of cooperating with authorities in the deportation of Imam Mohammed Shahin to Egypt. Shaheen is accused of incitement, including against Israel.
Shahin had referred to the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel as “an act of resistance after years of occupation.” The controversy escalated when Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, was filmed dancing over the weekend with anti-Israel activist Greta Thunberg in Genoa. Albanese, known for making inflammatory anti-Israel and occasionally antisemitic remarks, said the La Stampa incident should serve as a “message to journalists to do their job better.” Her comments drew sharp rebuke from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.