Overview
- A Chabad emissary, Rabbi Tzemach Mizrachi, was assaulted while waiting at a bus stop in Piazzale Bande Nere and approached the attackers on Wednesday as he was reportedly on his way to pick up his children from school.
- Mizrachi said the incident included verbal abuse, kicks and punches, hat removal and spitting, and he followed the suspects long enough to photograph and film them before calling police.
- Italian police located three people a short distance from the scene and brought them to police headquarters for identification and questioning, with some reports saying the individuals were detained overnight.
- Local Jewish leaders described the attack as antisemitic and called for action, and national officials including the Italian Senate president publicly condemned the assault while authorities have not yet made a public ruling on motive.
- Mizrachi has served at Milan’s Central Chabad House for about three decades, the episode has increased fear among visibly Jewish residents, and investigators say further witness statements and evidence will determine whether changes to local security or legal charges follow.