Neo-Nazis Attack Jewish Youth Delegation at Bulgarian Resort Hotel

On Sunday, a group of neo-Nazis dressed in black shirts bearing skull symbols besieged a hotel in the Bulgarian resort town of Bansko, where dozens of Jewish youths were staying. The group included a delegation from the Jewish community of Rome and representatives from Israel, who were attending an international youth movement leadership training. The attackers verbally abused the youths, blocked hotel entrances, gave Nazi salutes, and shouted the Nazi slogan "Sieg Heil." Police intervened and dispersed the attackers, but they returned shortly after and continued threatening the young guests.

Victor Padlon, president of the Jewish community of Rome, condemned the incident, stating that Jewish children are not free to travel across Europe without facing violence and verbal harassment from antisemites. He called on Bulgarian authorities to investigate the attack and promptly prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that "Jew hunts are unacceptable."

This event in Bansko occurred about a week after another violent incident in Bulgaria, where a group of 18-year-old Israeli youths were attacked in a side alley in Sunny Beach by British tourists who identified them as Israelis. The attackers used pepper spray and dragged one Israeli into a dark alley.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned antisemitism as a harmful form of hatred and discrimination that must be fought. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also strongly condemned the violence, calling any form of "Jew hunt" unacceptable and expressing solidarity with the Jewish youth affected by these attacks.