Milan Jews face rising antisemitism after October 7th
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Dalia Gubbay, Vice President of the Jewish Community of Milan, Italy, described increased fear and insecurity among Milan’s 7,000 Jewish people since the events of October 7th.
Gubbay explained that Jewish children now require police escort to and from school, and even after religious services, police urge people to leave quickly for their safety.
She recounted an antisemitic incident involving her son at a youth camp in Bulgaria and her daughter’s fear of openly identifying as Jewish when she begins university. Gubbay detailed how the community, comprised of Jews from diverse backgrounds including Tripoli, Iran, Lebanon, and Egypt, is confronting incitement, particularly in schools.
Teachers associated with groups like “Docenti per Gaza” attempted to use the first day of school to protest one-sidedly, and Gubbay noted the difficulty of monitoring all schools for such activity. During Liberation Day celebrations in April, protesters confronted the Jewish community as they marched with banners commemorating the “Jewish Brigade,” a unit that fought for Italy’s freedom during World War II, and police asked them to leave to ensure their safety.
Despite these challenges, Gubbay affirmed the community’s commitment to maintaining their presence and practicing their faith openly, and she has visited Israel eleven times since October 7th to express solidarity.
