A French Jewish father and his 6-year-old son encountered a brutal antisemitic assault at a gas station near Milan, sparking widespread outrage and renewed concerns about Europe's escalating anti-Jewish violence. The incident unfolded when the pair, wearing kippot, became targets of a pro-Palestinian group shouting "go home, killers," "bastard, I'm going to kill you," and "free Palestine."
🚨 ITALY NOW: Rabbi and Child Attacked for Being Jewish
At an Autogrill in Milan, a rabbi and his little boy were screamed at by a mob yelling "Palestine" slogans.
No Israeli symbols. No politics.
Just a Jew and his son. pic.twitter.com/Ha91adA55P
— Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) July 28, 2025
When attackers demanded the deletion of video footage documenting their assault, the father refused, triggering an escalation into physical violence. The man's defiant response of "Am Yisrael Chai" – expressing solidarity with the Jewish people – came as his terrified son watched the confrontation unfold.
The assault video gained rapid traction across social media platforms. Italian community leaders now warn that such antisemitic incidents are occurring with alarming frequency throughout Europe, particularly since the Gaza war began. They demand meaningful governmental action against the mounting antisemitic tide.
"Is it really 'normal' to attack Jewish citizens?"
Public figures across Italy have delivered sharp rebukes in response to the father-son attack. Davide Romano, who directs the Jewish Brigade Museum, stressed the urgent need to safeguard Milan's international reputation through decisive action against perpetrators. "This assault targeting a French family solely because of their Jewish identity serves as another stark reminder of antisemitism's growth throughout our nation," Romano stated.
Municipal politicians, notably Milan city council member Daniele Nahum, have pressed for institutional accountability and unequivocal condemnation. Nahum questioned whether such attacks have achieved disturbing normalization, asking, "Has attacking Jewish citizens truly become 'normal' due to Gaza events?" She advocated for aggressive responses to halt dangerous antisemitic rhetoric masquerading as legitimate political discourse.
Parliament member Piero Fassino from the Partito Democratico acknowledged antisemitism as a persistent Italian problem, highlighting the troubling global pattern of Jewish scapegoating.
Italian law enforcement continues reviewing gas station security recordings to compile evidence for potential prosecutions.
