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Italian authorities have shut down an anonymous online form that asked members of the public to report the locations of Israeli tourists, Italian Jews, and businesses believed to have ties to Zionism, prompting widespread condemnation from senior government officials and Jewish community leaders.

The form, which circulated on social media and messaging platforms, was described as an effort to "map Zionist tourism" and "Zionist neo-colonization" in Italy, according to reports from Fox News and the Jerusalem Post. It requested information about hotels, vacation rentals, businesses, and other public places, as well as details about property purchases and local organizations allegedly addressing the phenomenon.

Coverage comparison

Fox News reported that the form's removal followed its circulation online, and highlighted statements from Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Deputy Secretary of State Alessandro Morelli condemning the initiative. The Jerusalem Post provided additional context, including an incident during Italy's Liberation Day commemoration in April when Jewish participants, including members of the Jewish Brigade, faced hostility and were forced out of a procession. Both outlets quoted Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, who warned that the form's collection of information could enable violence.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that the form stated the data would be received by the Global Sumud Movement, which later denied involvement. The form was removed after intervention by Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto, Italy's national coordinator for the fight against antisemitism, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Key claims

  • An anonymous Google form circulated asking the public to report the locations of Israeli tourists, Italian Jews, and businesses believed to have ties to Zionism, as reported by both Fox News and the Jerusalem Post.
  • The form was removed following intervention by Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto, Italy's national coordinator for the fight against antisemitism, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Global Sumud Movement denied creating, commissioning, or knowing about the form, as reported by both outlets.
  • Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, warned that collecting such information could provide practical assistance to someone intending to commit violence, as reported by both outlets.
  • Deputy Secretary of State Alessandro Morelli condemned the form as "abhorrent" and said those responsible should not go unpunished, as reported by Fox News and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa warned that identifying people publicly in that manner could endanger their security, as reported by Fox News.
  • During Italy's Liberation Day celebration, Jewish participants in a procession commemorating the Jewish Brigade were met with hostility and forced out under police escort, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. A woman identified as Dalia Gubbay, vice president of the Jewish Community of Milan, described being called a murderer and feeling that the city had betrayed them.
  • Benjamin Birely, a PhD candidate, experienced hostility and threats after being identified as Israeli, including being called a "soldier without a uniform" and a "PhD candidate in genocide," as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

  • Italian government officials: Senate President Ignazio La Russa called the form an "aberrant initiative" and stated it recalled "the ghosts of the past," while Deputy Secretary of State Alessandro Morelli condemned it as "abhorrent" and called for those responsible to be punished.
  • Jewish community leaders: Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, said, "I think we're going back to the 1930s, to hunting Jews," and stressed the seriousness of mapping Jewish locations.
  • Global Sumud Movement: The movement denied any involvement in creating or commissioning the form, stating it had no knowledge of it.