Italy shuts down ‘Jew hunting’ online form after uproar

An anonymous online form asking people to report the locations of Jews and Israeli tourists in Italy has been taken down after government officials intervened, media reports say.

The Google form, circulated on social media and messaging groups before it was removed, asked users to identify Jews, Israelis and people believed to have ties to Zionism at hotels, vacation rentals, businesses and other public places. Its purpose was to “map Zionist tourism” and “Zionist neo-colonization” in Italy, the form said.

It was removed this week following the intervention of Italy’s commissioner for combating antisemitism, Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto.

“A real manhunt.”

In Italy ????????, an anonymous form has circulated, urging users to report the arrival of Jews, Israelis, or anyone affiliated with “Zionists” at hotels and businesses.

The form's stated goal is to "map Zionist tourism" in Italy, though many Jewish leaders are… pic.twitter.com/EhzWMXJnas

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) July 20, 2026

Jewish leaders condemned the initiative, with Livia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, calling the campaign a “new yellow star,” reminiscent of Italy’s 1938 fascist racial laws.

Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, warned that “hunting Jews” would encourage attacks by extremists. Government officials condemned the form as well.

The incident comes as antisemitic attacks continue to rise in Italy. According to the Center of Contemporary Jewish Documentation, 963 incidents were recorded nationwide in 2025, including a sharp increase in physical assaults.