Italy shuts down ‘Jews, Israelis hunting’ online form after uproar

• Anonymous online form targeting Jews and 'Israelis' in Italy sparks widespread condemnation.
• Jewish leaders warn the initiative echoes historical persecution and reflects a rise in antisemitic targeting.

Italian authorities have removed an anonymous online form that urged people to report Jews, 'Israelis', and individuals allegedly linked to "Zionists," after the initiative triggered widespread condemnation from Jewish leaders and officials.

The form encouraged users to identify Jewish and 'Israeli' tourists staying at hotels, vacation rentals, stores, and businesses across Italy as part of what organizers described as an effort to "map Zionist tourism."

The online campaign drew sharp criticism from Italy's Jewish community, with leaders warning that it represented a dangerous escalation in antisemitic activity.

Victor Fadlun, president of Rome's Jewish community, described the initiative as "a real manhunt," saying it encouraged people to single out individuals based on their identity.

Livia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, compared the effort to "a new yellow badge," referencing the symbols Jews were forced to wear during the Nazi era. She warned that hostility toward 'Israel' is increasingly being used as a pretext to target Jews as individuals, regardless of their personal views.

Italy's commissioner for combating antisemitism helped remove the form after it spread online.

The incident has renewed concerns over rising antisemitism in Europe, with Jewish organizations warning that online platforms are increasingly being used to identify, intimidate, and harass Jewish communities under the guise of political activism.

The case has prompted calls for stronger action against online campaigns that encourage discrimination or target individuals based on their religion, ethnicity, or nationality.