“Rapid measures are vital... Muslim leaders must publicly condemn antisemitism in their mosques, schools and media... Italy cannot allow Jihadism on its soil.”

Paris, 13 November 2015

In a letter to Italian Interior Minister, Angelino Alfano, the Simon Wiesenthal Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, expressed shock that, “the so-called 'Intifada of Knives' has arrived to Italy in yesterday's attack on a Jewish man outside a kosher restaurant in Milan. The hooded attacker reportedly shouted, 'I will kill you'.”

The letter called on Alfano as “Italy's responsible official for counter-terrorism, to immediately draw the lessons of this assault by following the measures of your French counter-part, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, in posting armed military at every Jewish synagogue, school and other vulnerable institutions across Italy.”

Samuels stressed, “nor will the copy-cat transfer of an Intifada to Europe be limited to the Jewish community – present in Italy since the early Roman period... As we have seen in the Charlie Hebdo and Jewish supermarket incidents in Paris, though Jews may be the primary victim, the terrorist's strategic target is democracy itself.”

The Centre called on the Minister for immediate action, “prosecution of the perpetrator, in this case, must demonstrate the firm will of Italy to counter such outrage,” adding, “rapid measures are vital on the ground and in the air – regarding Internet/social media. Muslim leaders must be prevailed upon to condemn antisemitism, focussing on this stabbing, in their mosques, and the media.”

“Mr. Minister, Italy cannot allow Jihadism on its soil,” concluded Samuels.