Full Breakdown
Antisemitic Harassment Forces Jewish Brigade Out of Milan Liberation Day Parade
4/28/2026, 9:54:46 AM
Incident Overview
On April 25, 2024, the 79th Liberation Day parade in Milan was halted when Jewish Brigade members and the city’s Jewish community faced antisemitic chants—most notably “You should have been made into soap”—and Nazi salutes. After about an hour, police opened a corridor and escorted the participants out.
Historical Context
Liberation Day marks the 1945 end of Nazi-fascist rule in Italy. The Jewish Brigade, a WWII British-army unit of Jewish volunteers from Mandatory Palestine, is traditionally honored in the Milan march.
Key Participants
Emanuele Fiano (Jewish Community of Milan), Daniele Nahum (councilor), Matteo Piantedosi (interior minister), Giorgia Meloni (prime minister), Israel’s Foreign Ministry, and youth and religious Jewish groups.
Timeline
- 25 April 2024: Parade starts; Jewish Brigade leaves Via Boschetto.
- Minutes later: Antisemitic chants and Nazi salutes appear.
- ~1 hour: Police clear a corridor and escort participants out.
- Next day: Councilor Nahum meets police chief; officials issue statements.
Data & Statistics
The march marked the 79th Liberation Day, the first Jewish-identified exclusion since 1938, and coincided with over 60 demonstrations nationwide.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights a resurgence of antisemitic rhetoric in a ceremony meant to celebrate anti-fascist resistance, raising concerns about Italy’s commitment to pluralism, historical memory, and the safety of minority groups in public spaces.
Official Responses
Interior Minister Piantedosi called the attacks “shameful and unacceptable” and praised police. Prime Minister Meloni warned that those claiming to defend democracy “are a problem.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it “deeply troubling.”
Criticism & Opposition
Paola Concia called the harassment “unacceptable” and a “dangerous drift.” Davide Romano called it an “institutional and constitutional wound.” The Union of Young Jews called the expulsion a “desecration.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Participants heard the chant “You should have been made into soap” and saw Nazi salutes, prompting them to abandon the route.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources lack numbers of harassers, police cause analysis, and independent verification of the 1938 claim.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, in Milan, an extremist minority decided who may participate and who may not, and it is a disgrace for the whole country.” — Emanuele Fiano, former president, Jewish Community of Milan
- “If these are the ones who claim to defend freedom and democracy, I’d say we have a problem.” — Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
- “ Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it “deeply troubling” that, on Italy’s WWII Liberation Day, Jewish participants in Milan were targeted and excluded by violent extremists.” — Israel Foreign Ministry
What’s Next
The incident has spurred condemnation and calls for stronger safeguards against antisemitic violence at public events, urging investigations and reaffirming Liberation Day’s inclusive memory.
