A Jewish tourist couple visiting Venice were assaulted by a group of 10 migrants at around midnight on Thursday, September 11th.
The couple, singled out for wearing Orthodox clothing, were chased and surrounded by the men. One’s rottweiler was set on the duo, while another slapped the man. A glass bottle was thrown at the pair, injuring the woman’s ankle as it shattered.
The attack was cut short by the intervention of nearby Guardia di Finanza officers. Three of the men were arrested—including the 31-year-old Tunisian who slapped the husband—who was charged with assault and banned from entering Venice for two years. Two others were transferred to a detention centre, where they await deportation.
The Jewish Community of Venice described the attack as a “cowardly and despicable act,” calling into question Venice’s welcoming reputation. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared
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 anti-Semitism, as well as to Islamophobia. Venice will never tolerate any form of hatred or discrimination.
Rising levels of antisemitic violence in Europe have been described as an ‘antisemitism emergency.’
