Synagogues across Rome have been defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti, including a monument commemorating two-year-old Stefano Guy Tasha, who was killed in a 1982 terrorist attack on the Great Synagogue in the Italian capital.
“The day after yet another pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Monteverde Temple, the monument was desecrated,” said Victor Padalon, head of the Jewish community of Rome. “All of this took place in a climate of intimidation, like the attack on the offices of ‘La Stampa’ in Turin,” referring to a violent protest by pro-Palestinians that took place this week there.
“Anti-Semitism in general has become a tool of political protest,” he added, “we have faith in the police and we call for strong government intervention to stop this cycle of hatred.”
The European Jewish Congress (EJC) strongly condemned the incident, which sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for increased protection of Jewish heritage sites. “We condemn the desecration of the monument to Stefano Guy Tasha, the two-year-old Jewish boy who was murdered in the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Great Synagogue of Rome in 1982. The desecration of a memorial dedicated to a murdered child is an act of deep disrespect and a painful reminder that anti-Semitism continues to poison our society. This is not ‘anti-Zionism’ – this is anti-Semitism: damage to Jewish memory, Jewish grief and Jewish history.”
EJC also stated: “Stefano’s name is a symbol of one of the darkest terrorist attacks in the history of Italy. His memory must be protected – not desecrated. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Italy and call on the authorities to investigate this hate crime and ensure that such cases are treated with the seriousness they deserve.”
Antonio Taiani, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, said that anti-Semitism is “an evil scourge that must be uprooted from Europe and Italy”, but added that “anti-Semitism cannot be confused with legitimate criticism of the Israeli government”. According to him, “to desecrate the synagogue where there is a monument to a terrorist victim – this is truly unacceptable: I strongly condemn it.” Taiani added that “we must ensure the safety of all Jewish citizens, they must not be subjected to threats and harm.” The incident was investigated by the Italian authorities.