A Jewish couple from the United States and an Israeli were assaulted in Venice by about 10 Muslim migrants from North Africa.
The attack took place late at night on Strada Nuova, one of the city’s main streets near the Rialto Bridge. The assailants identified the three as Jewish because of their ultra-Orthodox appearance, chased them, surrounded them and shouted “Free Palestine.”
According to the police investigation, one attacker set his Rottweiler on the tourists, while another slapped one of them. At the same time, members of the group threw a glass bottle that shattered on the ground, injuring the woman’s ankle.
Police officers who witnessed the attack intervened and prevented further violence. One of the assailants, a 31-year-old Tunisian man who slapped one of the tourists, was arrested on the spot. He was charged with assault, and a court banned him from entering Venice for the next two years. Two others involved were in Italy illegally and were taken into custody pending deportation proceedings.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro condemned the attack, calling it “a serious and unacceptable act.” The Jewish community of Venice also issued a strong condemnation, describing the assault as “cowardly and vile.” The community said in a statement: “This is a despicable act. Such incidents undermine Venice’s tradition of hospitality.”
This latest incident follows another assault that occurred just last month in the same area near the Rialto Bridge, when an ultra-Orthodox American Jewish couple was attacked by three men. The assailants spat on them, unleashed a dog at them and hurled antisemitic insults.
Earlier this year, antisemitic chants were also heard during a speech by the president of Venice’s Jewish community, and a university professor was attacked after refusing to publicly denounce Israel.