Federica Iaria, Vice President of the Italy-Israel Scaligero Estense Association, reported being verbally attacked alongside a friend while having coffee at a restaurant in central Verona. According to Iaria, the two were confronted by a woman shouting “Free Palestine” solely because they were wearing visible Jewish symbols—her friend a kippah, and she herself a Star of David pendant.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, shortly after Iaria had participated in the “Iran for Freedom” flash mob at Cortile Mercato Vecchio, attended by associations, political groups, and Verona’s mayor, Damiano Tommasi. Iaria then went to lunch with friends and was later having coffee with Marco Leati, President of the same association, when the altercation unfolded.
“A woman at a nearby table started loudly telling us we should be ashamed,” said Iaria. “When we asked if this was because we are Jewish, she didn’t engage rationally.” Another individual from the woman’s group asked their opinion on the situation in Israel, to which Iaria and Leati responded by questioning whether that was the appropriate way to start a discussion—and what their view was on the events of October 7.
Fortunately, the restaurant manager stepped in to de-escalate the situation. “It was a disturbing and surreal moment,” Iaria said.
