24 people charged for harassing Italian Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre

24 people have been charged by the Italian police for antisemitic online attacks against Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre on international Holocaust Memorial Day.

The 92-year-old senator, an Italian symbol of the fight against antisemitism, accused 24 people of antisemitic attacks, including death threats and defamation.

The suspects have been charged by the Italian police – the Milan Carabinieri – for insults against Senator Segre.

The suspects include Italian celebrity chef Gabriele Rubini and Nicola Barreca – the secretary of the Reggio Calabria Branch of the League Party of Matteo Salvini. Barreca has now been suspended from Matteo Salvini’s party but is challenging the allegations and denies having made the antisemitic comments.

Rubini, professionally known as Chef Rubio, accused Segre of “a deafening silence over the plight of Palestine,” and called Israel a “fascist” state.

Segre survived Auschwitz concentration camp and became a senator for life by President Sergio Mattarella in 2018 – a prestigious honour in Italy reserved for only a select few.

She has acted as one of Italy’s most prominent voices in combatting antisemitism, racism, and hate speech.

In recent years, Segre has been subject to severe antisemitic onslaught from both right and left wing political sectors of Italy. As a result, the elderly survivor is constantly accompanied by bodyguards.

related

Subscribe to the EJC newsletter

Get the EJC newsletter, including the latest statements and news from the European Jewish communities, direct to your inbox.

European Jewish Congress will use the information you provide on this form to contact you. We will treat your information with respect and will not share it with others. By clicking Subscribe, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

browse by community