Bologna synagogue defaced with ‘Free Gaza’ graffiti; Israel’s envoy to Italy decries ‘serious antisemitic attack’

Vandals daubed graffiti on a synagogue in the Italian city of Bologna over the weekend, amid a series of violent incidents at a rally held in the memory of an Italian-Egyptian man who was killed in a police chase in November.

According to the Euronews website, the man was killed while he was riding on the back of his friend’s moped during an 8-kilometer (5-mile) chase with a police car.

Photos posted to social media show the words “JUSTICE FREE GAZA” spray-painted in red at the synagogue.

Israel’s ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled decries the “serious antisemitic attack” in a post on X.

The Israeli embassy in Italy also comments on the incident in a statement on X: “The antisemitic attack on the local synagogue is a serious act of hatred that must be condemned with absolute firmness. Let us stand united against all forms of intolerance.”

Synagogue in Bologna, Italy ???????? is daubed with “Free Gaza” graffiti from last night

Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/0HaveaeNrV

— Kosher???????? (@koshercockney) January 12, 2025