A young French Jewish tourist was attacked twice in central Rome in a suspected antisemitic assault after being targeted for wearing a kippah, Italian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani publicly condemned the violence against the victim.
According to Italian media reports, the tourist was first attacked on Friday when a man sprayed him with pepper spray. The following day, the same individual returned with three other people and assaulted the victim again as he walked through the city center, beating him.
Suspect identified
Italian authorities identified a 31-year-old homeless Algerian man as the primary suspect in the attacks. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Agence France-Presse.
Tajani expressed full solidarity with the victim and the Jewish community, calling for zero tolerance for antisemitism across the country. Writing on social media platform X on Tuesday, Tajani said that antisemitism and hatred of Jews cannot find a place in Italian cities and society, adding that Italy will always stand for religious freedom, respect, and coexistence.
