Italy shuts down ‘Jew hunting’ form seeking to ‘map Zionist tourism’ after uproar

An anonymous online form, circulated on social media, that sought to "map Zionist tourism" by identifying Jews and Israelis in Italy was removed this week following intervention from Italy's commissioner for combating antisemitism, Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto. The form asked users to report the locations of Jews, Israelis, and individuals believed to have ties to Zionism at various public and private establishments. Jewish leaders condemned the initiative, with Livia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, calling it a "new yellow star." Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa also denounced the form as "an aberrant initiative, in open violation of fundamental human rights." This incident occurs amidst a rise in antisemitic attacks in Italy, with 963 incidents recorded in 2025, and a survey indicating that approximately 15% of Italians view attacks on Jews as justifiable.