Jewish tourist attacked twice in central Rome within 24 hours

A 22-year-old French tourist of Jewish origin, Yitzhak Dahan, was attacked twice in central Rome within 24 hours. The first time, someone sprayed pepper spray in his face; the second time, four men beat him with kicks while shouting 'Free Palestine'. Police arrested a 31-year-old Algerian citizen suspected in the attack and are searching for three others. The incident was condemned by Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the president of Rome's Jewish community, and the Israeli ambassador.

A 22-year-old French tourist of Jewish origin, Yitzhak Dahan, was attacked twice in central Rome within less than 24 hours. The first incident occurred on the evening of August 7 at around 20:00 in Piazza Cairoli, when a man sprayed pepper spray in his face while shouting 'Free Palestine'. The next evening, August 8 at around 20:20, in Largo di Torre Argentina, four people surrounded him, kicked him, and again shouted the same slogan. Dahan recognized the same man from the first attack among the assailants. After the second attack, he went to the Carabinieri and filed a complaint. Police arrested a 31-year-old Algerian citizen with no fixed residence, who had previous legal troubles, and charged him with assault and incitement on racial, ethnic, or religious grounds. The investigation continues, and police are searching for three other participants. The incident drew sharp reactions: Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the attack as anti-Semitic, the president of Rome's Jewish community Victor Padalon spoke of a 'hunt for Jews', and Israeli ambassador Yonatan Peled called it proof that anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are the same. Dahan said he will return to Rome but will be more cautious.