Jewish Tourist Wearing Kippah Attacked Twice in Rome, Suspect Arrested

A 22-year-old French tourist wearing a kippah was assaulted twice in Rome's historic center. The first attack occurred on August 7 at Piazza Benedetto Cairoli around 8 p.m., when a 31-year-old homeless Algerian man with a criminal record sprayed pepper spray in the victim's face. The following day, August 8 at 8:15 p.m., the tourist was attacked again at Largo di Torre by a group of four assailants who kicked him. The victim identified the same suspect among the attackers. Both incidents involved the assailants shouting the antisemitic slogan "Free Palestine."

Following the victim's police complaint, authorities identified and arrested the main suspect and continue searching for three additional suspects involved. Victor Padelon, president of the Jewish community in Rome, warned that "the hunting season for Jews has arrived in the streets of Rome," urging the public not to remain indifferent. Lia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Jewish Communities in Italy, called the attacks extremely serious and indicative of rising antisemitism, thanking security forces for their swift response.

Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa condemned the attacks, stating that antisemitism must never become normalized. Italy's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani also denounced the violence, affirming Italy's commitment to religious freedom and opposition to antisemitism. Israeli Ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled emphasized that attacks on Jewish individuals threaten the freedom of all.

The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Italian and Jewish leaders, highlighting concerns about increasing antisemitic violence in Italy and the need for vigilance and protection of religious minorities.