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Luca Nivarra, a law professor at the University of Palermo in Sicily, urged his Facebook followers on Tuesday to “unfriend all Jewish ‘friends,’ even the ‘good’ ones.” He claimed this would pressure Jews to “feel alone” and “isolated” over the actions of the Israeli government and military.
Nivarra’s outburst came amid a surge of antisemitism in Italy, marked by violent assaults, public incitement, and inflammatory rhetoric from prominent figures.
In follow-up posts, however, Nivarra escalated his rhetoric. He wrote that “so-called ‘good Jews’ are lying and concealing the horror” of a purported “Palestinian Holocaust.” He also insisted, “There are no good Israelis,” and smeared Israeli society as “steeped in moral rot.”
Moreover, Nivarra drew a grotesque comparison between Israel and Nazism. “The only difference between Adolf Eichmann and the IDF,” he wrote, “is that Eichmann defended himself by saying he was following orders, while Israeli soldiers happily do what they do.”
As a result, University of Palermo Dean Massimo Midiri denounced the rhetoric as “a personal and culturally dangerous initiative” that defies academic principles. He warned that the remarks could “fuel the very dynamics” Nivarra claimed to oppose. Midiri further stressed that “complex issues like the Middle East conflict require dialogue and critical engagement, not exclusion or ideological censorship.”
Italian University and Research Minister Anna Maria Bernini also condemned the post. After speaking with the dean, she declared that the comments insulted “not only the Jewish people but everyone who upholds values of respect and civil conduct.”
Recent Incidents Highlight Dangerous Trend
For Italy’s Jewish community, the controversy underscored a broader and troubling reality. Antisemitic rhetoric is increasingly spilling into daily life, fueling violence and threatening Jews in public spaces.
Venice: Pregnant Couple Assaulted Near Iconic Landmark
On August 12, a visibly Jewish couple — including a pregnant woman — were attacked near Venice’s Rialto Bridge. Witnesses reported the assailants screaming “dirty Jew” before throwing water and spitting. At one point, a large dog was unleashed, biting the man’s smartphone. The couple escaped and later informed police, who launched an investigation.
Milan: Father and Son Harassed at Gas Station
On July 29, a French Jewish father and his six-year-old son, both wearing kippot, faced threats and harassment at a gas station in the Milan area. The agressors shouted “Go home, killers,” “Bastard, I’m going to kill you,” and “Free Palestine.” The father, who recorded the incident on video, responded defiantly with “Am Yisrael Chai.”
Rome: Mass Rally Spawns Antisemitic Slogans
On June 7, an estimated 300,000 people joined a large anti-Israel demonstration in Rome. Organizers included the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and Greens-Left Alliance. Protesters marched under “Free Palestine” banners, while chants increasingly blurred legitimate political expression with outright incitement against Jews.
Milan Cathedral: Holocaust Memory Distorted
On August 25, another deeply disturbing scene unfolded in front of the iconic Milan Cathedral. A woman was photographed smirking while holding a poster of Anne Frank depicted in a keffiyeh. The image mocked the Star of David by replacing it with an upside-down triangle drawn in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Jewish groups denounced the display as a vile perversion of Holocaust memory and urged authorities to investigate.
Sickening scene in Milan’s main cathedral – a woman smirks holding a poster of Anne Frank in a keffiyeh, while mocking the Star of David with an upside-down Palestinian flag triangle.
This vile perversion of Holocaust memory must be investigated by authorities immediately. pic.twitter.com/5GLyJb61ta
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 25, 2025
A Pattern of Escalating Hate
These incidents reveal how antisemitic rhetoric and violent behavior reinforce one another. Comments by a respected academic now align with physical assaults and massive rallies where antisemitic chants are normalized. For Italy’s Jews, the result is growing vulnerability, insecurity, and fear.
Therefore, Italian institutions face a choice. They can continue issuing statements that attempt to balance condemnation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel. Or they can take a clear stand, confronting hate directly and supporting Jewish citizens against rising hate. The urgency of that choice grows clearer with each new attack.
Take Real Action Against Antisemitism
CAM launched this week the Report It app. It enables anyone to report antisemitic incidents — anonymously, securely, and in real time. By downloading the app on Apple Store or Google Play, you can take an active role in the fight against antisemitism. Every report helps protect your community and drives meaningful change.
