Defacement of memorial for Jewish toddler terror victim ‘should shock the conscience of all Italians’

Italy’s Jewish community has expressed “deep” distress over the vandalism: "It is an act that deeply shocks us and should shock the conscience of all Italians because it once again highlights the presence of fringe groups that do not hesitate to desecrate the memory, history, and fundamental values of our democracy, even without respecting places of worship,”  said Noemi Di Segni, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI).

“While the physical decorum of the plaque can be restored with a simple cleaning, the moral decorum and coherence of the memory of little Michael Stefano can be fully restored only by ending all forms of tolerance for acts that exploit conflicts, victims, and memory, and by ensuring that no cover-up or ambiguity – by organised groups, political groups, or representatives at any level – can further facilitate those who fuel violence and destabilise democracy in Italy."

The Diocese of Rome echoed the UCEI’s sentiments in a show of solidarity: “We demand that all forms of antisemitism be condemned, that every place of worship be respected for the high spiritual value it represents, and that all forms of physical and verbal violence give way to respect and dialogue," it said in a statement. 

The act of vandalism follows a spate of incidents that have left Italian Jews on edge. Three months ago, a Jewish couple holidaying in Venice were reportedly attacked by a group of 10 men, one of whom allegedly set a Rottweiler on the pair, in what at the time the Jewish Community of Venice called a “cowardly and despicable act”. The couple tried to flee, but were chased by the group, who chanted “Free Palestine”, according to Italian news agency AGI.

Venetian Mayor Luigi Brugnaro condemned the “unacceptable act”, saying: "Venice is and must continue to be an open, welcoming, and safe city, where mutual respect is the foundation of civil coexistence.

"This attack is a serious and unacceptable act, which I condemn in the strongest terms. We firmly say 'no' to any resurgence of antisemitism, as well as to Islamophobia. Venice will never tolerate any form of hatred or discrimination."

Weeks earlier, three men reportedly harassed an American Jewish man and his pregnant wife, in the same location, before throwing a bottle of water over them, spitting at them and calling one of them a "dirty Jew". A dog was reportedly set on this couple too.