Israeli Tourist Sees Anti-Israel Sign at Sardinian Wine Bar

Alex, a resident of central Israel, was on vacation with his wife in Sardinia, the Italian island in the Mediterranean, when they came across an anti-Israel sign outside a wine bar they wanted to enter. The sign, written in Hebrew and English, said, “War criminals are not welcome in Sardinia and can be prosecuted under the law,” alongside a sticker reading “Stop the genocide” with a Palestinian flag.

Alex told Mako’s Assaf Wakenin that they had been recommended the venue, describing it as a popular bar, but turned around immediately after seeing the notice at the entrance to the indoor seating area. “We were shocked, we came for leisure, fun and a break, and got a political agenda,” he said. He added that before ordering anything, they were labeled “war criminals,” comparing it to “signs of no entry for dogs and Jews.”

He also said they had seen several Palestinian flags and anti-Israel graffiti around the city during the trip, but said this was the most aggressive example and it upset them. In response to Mako, the owner, Paolo, said he did not apologize for posting the sign. He said the bar was not blocking Israelis, but “aggressive Zionists,” and that Israelis who are not involved in killing innocent people are welcome.

Paolo added that this was the shared position of the owners, staff and local residents, and said they would not accept moral accusations. He also pointed to family history, saying one grandfather had been a World War II partisan against the Nazis and another had been a doctor ostracized by the fascist regime for opposing the deportation of Jews.