Milan prosecutors are investigating the aggravated assault of a 52-year-old French Jewish tourist, motivated by racial hatred, during an anti-Semitic attack at a service station on the A8 highway near Lainate, Milan. The victim and his six-year-old son were targeted last Sunday while returning from Lake Maggiore, allegedly due to the man wearing a kippah.
According to the victim’s account, assailants first shouted slurs including “murderers,” “Free Palestine,” and “This isn’t Gaza.” The confrontation escalated into physical violence when the man was kicked while on the ground after exiting restroom facilities. The tourist captured initial insults on his phone but did not seek medical treatment, preventing prosecutors from pursuing assault charges.
Deputy Prosecutor Eugenio Fusco has opened an investigation against unknown perpetrators after receiving a report from Italy’s Digos anti-terrorism unit. Key next steps include reviewing surveillance footage and license plates from vehicles in the parking area.
The victim told ANSA: “I received heartwarming solidarity from the Jewish community, but also online hate messages against me and my son. They used anti-Semitic slurs, suggesting I should have an arm tattoo and calling me a genocide perpetrator.” He recounted explaining the attack to his traumatized son: “I told him some bad people dislike us, but this was an incident—and that Daddy protected him.”
Witnesses Corroborate Chaos
An autogrill cleaner described being blocked by “a wall of screaming people shoving each other,” noting the silent, shocked child beside his father. The service station manager declined comment amid intense media scrutiny.
Political and Community Reactions
Milan’s Chief Rabbi Alfonso Arbib warned of “legitimized hatred” driving surging anti-Semitism, citing “several weekly incidents” in Milan. Italy’s Union of Jewish Communities announced plans to file a formal complaint—its 41st active case—over the attack.
Deputy PM Matteo Salvini condemned the “grave” incident, stating: “We hoped Jew-hunting ended with the defeat of Nazism.” In solidarity, Italia Viva Senator Ivan Scalfarotto wore a kippah in the Senate chamber to denounce anti-Semitism.