The posters, which appeared overnight, have drawn harsh criticism from Jewish leaders, who accused local and national authorities of failing to confront what they described as a growing campaign of hate against Jews and Israel.
In response, municipal workers have begun removing the posters and police have opened an investigation. According to the Jewish-Italian outlet Shalom, six individuals — three men and three women — were identified from security footage carrying similar signs.
Walker Meghnagi, head of Milan’s Jewish community, blamed the climate of hostility in part on Italy’s political discourse. “It would’ve been nice if any of those pseudo-politicians had said something about what happened in Milan,” he said, singling out figures from the Italian left.
“They do nothing but stoke hatred. They bear a large share of the responsibility for the spread of antisemitism. Hatred of Jews is now being driven by the left,” he added. “But no one seems to notice. At least some from the center-right have stood up to defend us.”
Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa called the incident “a deeply disturbing act that requires a clear and unequivocal condemnation.”
He warned of a worsening atmosphere of “hatred and intolerance” and said the posters insult not only Israelis and Jews, “but the very values that underpin civil coexistence. I hope those responsible are quickly identified. To the people of Israel and the Jewish community, I send a message of solidarity.”
Jewish city council member Daniele Nahum said antisemitism in Milan is now “out of control.” Davide Romano, director of the Jewish Brigade Museum in Milan, added: “This is institutional antisemitism — it starts with words and ends in actions.”
Similar incidents have been reported recently in Milan, Naples and other Italian cities, including signs reading “Zionists and Israelis not welcome here.”
Italy’s Jewish community says the climate has significantly worsened in recent months amid intensifying anti-Israel sentiment, particularly from pro-Palestinian groups on the left — including political figures, labor unions and student organizations across university campuses.
Many in the community point to a growing erosion of the line between criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and openly antisemitic rhetoric targeting Jewish figures in politics, media and business.
Just days ago, the community was again shaken when the Coop supermarket chain announced a complete boycott of Israeli products. The chain said it would remove all Israeli goods from its 350 stores and instead stock a soft drink called “Cola Gaza,” with proceeds donated to Palestinians.
The move was widely condemned by Jewish leaders in Italy, who called it discriminatory and warned it reflects a broader and increasingly hostile environment toward anything associated with Israel.
