Des adolescents juifs italiens pris pour cible par des néo-nazis présumés dans un hôtel de Bulgarie

A group of Jewish-Italian teenagers and their educators were attacked by a group of alleged neo-Nazi skinheads at a hotel in Bansko, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening. The incident unfolded as the youths, part of a program organized by the Jewish youth movement Bnei Akiva, were staying at the hotel during a summer camp. According to reports, the attackers wore black shirts adorned with skull symbols and began shouting Nazi slogans such as “Sieg Heil!” while confronting the group. The confrontation took place near the entrance of the hotel, where the neo-Nazis attempted to force their way inside and directed antisemitic chants toward the building. Video footage shared online shows the attackers surrounding the structure, blocking exits, and trying to break through the doors while taunting the teenagers and their educators inside. Local police were summoned to the scene and managed to disperse the group outside the hotel. However, the attackers reportedly regrouped and returned to block the entrances, continuing to threaten and yell at the guests. Bulgarian authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the actions of the suspected neo-Nazis. The incident was initially misreported by Italian media as occurring in Sofia, but the Bulgarian Interior Ministry's regional directorate in Blagoevgrad clarified that the confrontation actually took place in Bansko, a mountain resort town. This clarification came after the Jerusalem Post obtained information from a representative of World Bnei Akiva, who explained that Bulgaria was chosen for the camp following a thorough assessment of security conditions, including relatively low rates of antisemitic incidents. According to the Bnei Akiva statement, the attack occurred on the last night of the camp, shortly after midnight. Camp staff immediately ordered all participants to return to their rooms to prevent any potential conflict. Security personnel and hotel staff swiftly responded by dispersing the attackers from the area and notifying local police. Officers arrived at the scene, identified the individuals involved, and informed them that appropriate measures would be taken. Throughout the incident, security teams controlled access to the hotel and monitored the situation closely. The Jewish Community of Rome expressed strong condemnation of the attack, with President Victor Fadlun describing the event as an “ignoble provocation.” Fadlun noted that the attackers, dressed in black shirts with skull insignia, attempted to enter the hotel where dozens of teenagers, including members from the Jewish Community of Rome, were staying. He recounted the tense moments following the police intervention, during which the neo-Nazis returned to block the entrances and continue their threats against the group. Fadlun emphasized that the Jewish Community of Rome strongly opposes the antisemitic attack targeting Italian Jewish teenagers and their educators within the European Union. He urged Bulgarian authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and to identify and prosecute those responsible as quickly as possible. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also condemned the attack on social media, expressing solidarity with the victims and calling for swift action against the perpetrators. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities in Europe, particularly in regions where far-right ideologies persist. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the affected individuals and preventing future acts of antisemitism.