Italy’s Jewish community is sounding the alarm after an anonymous online form urged members of the public to report the presence of Jews, Israelis and people described as “Zionists” in hotels, vacation accommodations and businesses across the country.

The stated purpose of the form was to “map Zionist tourism” in Italy. It was subsequently removed following the intervention of Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto, Italy’s national coordinator for combating antisemitism.

Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, called the initiative “aberrant” and urged political parties and civil society organizations to condemn it. He warned against identifying and exposing people because of their religious identity or perceived connection to Israel.

Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, said the initiative recalled the “hunting of Jews” and the atmosphere of the 1930s. He said the material had been forwarded to the relevant authorities and called for judicial intervention, warning that publishing such information could create a real danger.

Livia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, described the episode as part of a serious rise in antisemitism and compared the initiative to the creation of “new yellow badges.” She also criticized what she called the “deafening silence” of much of Italian civil society.

Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa called the online mapping effort “aberrant,” saying it violated fundamental rights and constitutional principles. He said no form of profiling based on religious belief or ties to Israel could be accepted or justified, and described the initiative as evidence of deep antisemitism that must be firmly rejected.

Members of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition also condemned the initiative and called for the authorities to investigate those responsible.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)