Italy deports two foreign nationals suspected of attacking Milan Chabad emissary

Italy deported two foreign nationals suspected of attacking Rabbi Tzemach Mizrahi, a Chabad emissary in Milan, on September 16. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced the deportations, stating there is no place for hatred and violence. The attack involved three men who surrounded the rabbi, shouted in Arabic, grabbed his hat, and kicked him. One deportee was a Moroccan national; the other was 21-year-old Tunisian Battar Zahani. A third suspect, Ilyes Zahani, remains in Italy awaiting trial. Milan Jewish community head Walker Meghnagi welcomed the move.

Italy deported two foreign nationals suspected of attacking Rabbi Tzemach Mizrahi, a Chabad emissary in Milan, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced on Monday. The attack occurred on September 16 at a bus stop in Piazzale Bande Nere, western Milan, near a large Jewish population. Three men surrounded the 51-year-old rabbi, shouted in Arabic, grabbed his hat, put it on, and mocked him. When Mizrahi began filming, one kicked him from behind, pushing him off the sidewalk into the road. About 20 people were at the stop but none intervened. Footage recorded by Mizrahi helped locate the suspects. One deportee was a Moroccan national; the other was 21-year-old Tunisian Battar Zahani, deported to Tunisia. The third suspect, 20-year-old Ilyes Zahani, remains in Italy under restrictive conditions awaiting trial. Walker Meghnagi, head of Milan's Jewish community, called the deportations "wonderful news." Mizrahi said he would not stop wearing rabbinic clothing but would not allow his children to walk alone.