Milan Mural Defaced as Antisemitic Acts Surge in Italy

The vandalism of a mural depicting an Oct. 7 attack survivor highlights a 300% rise in antisemitic incidents over the past year.

A mural by artist AleXsandro Palombo, depicting survivor Vlada Patapov, was vandalized near Milan's state university.
Antisemitic incidents in Italy have increased from about 30 to 80 or 90 per week since last year's Oct. 7 attacks.
Stefano Gatti from the Antisemitism Observatory describes the rise in incidents as 'overpowering' and more socially acceptable.
Examples of antisemitism include graffiti, intimidation, and verbal aggression, though no bodily harm has been reported.
Local officials' lack of clear condemnation is believed to contribute to the growing antisemitic phenomenon.