Jewish Tourist Attacked Twice in 24 Hours in Rome Near Jewish Ghetto

A 22-year-old Jewish tourist from Paris was pepper-sprayed and later beaten in two attacks in central Rome, with the assailants reportedly shouting “Free Palestine.” Italian police have arrested one suspect.

A Jewish tourist visiting Rome with his family was attacked twice within 24 hours near the city’s historic Jewish Ghetto, in incidents now under investigation by Italian police.

Yitzhak Dahan, 22, traveled from Paris to Rome for a five-day vacation with his mother and brother.

Followed and Pepper-Sprayed

On Friday evening, Dahan was walking through Piazza Cairoli near the Jewish Ghetto while wearing a kippah when he noticed a man following him and shouting “Free Palestine.”

When Dahan turned around and confronted the man, the attacker sprayed him with pepper spray at close range before fleeing.

Second Attack Less Than 24 Hours Later

The violence continued Saturday night, less than 24 hours after the first incident and roughly 300 meters from where it occurred.

Four people surrounded Dahan and kicked him while again shouting “Free Palestine.” Dahan said he recognized among the group the same man who had pepper-sprayed him the previous evening.

The circumstances raise serious concerns that Dahan was deliberately targeted because he was visibly Jewish.

Police Arrest Suspect

Dahan later filed an official complaint with local police, who opened an investigation into the attacks.

Police have so far arrested one suspect, identified as an Algerian national with a criminal background. The investigation into the other individuals involved remains ongoing.

The attacks come amid continued concern over antisemitic violence and harassment in Europe, particularly incidents in which Jews are confronted or targeted under the banner of anti-Israel activism.