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Jewish teenagers targeted with Nazi salutes and ‘Sieg Heil’ chants outside Bulgarian hotel
Police removed the black-clad group from the Bansko hotel, but they reportedly returned after officers had left
Jewish teenagers staying at a Bulgarian hotel were subjected to Nazi salutes, antisemitic abuse and chants of “Sieg Heil” after a group of men gathered outside the building.
Dozens of young Jews from Israel and Italy were staying in the mountain resort of Bansko while taking part in an international programme for youth movement leaders when the group appeared outside their hotel.
Video footage from the incident shows men dressed in black, some wearing tops bearing skull symbols, raising their arms in Nazi salutes and shouting “Sieg Heil”.
The group also blocked entrances to the hotel while the teenagers remained inside.
Police were called and initially moved the men away from the building. They reportedly returned after officers had left and resumed shouting abuse and threatening those inside.
Victor Fadlon, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, urged Bulgarian authorities to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.
He said: “Our children are not free to travel across Europe without being exposed to violence and verbal harassment from antisemites.”
The confrontation comes amid heightened concern over the safety of young Israelis and Jews travelling in Europe.
Days earlier, a separate group of 18-year-old Israelis reported being attacked while on holiday in the Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach. Israeli media reported that members of the group were assaulted after leaving a nightclub, with two beaten and another sprayed in the face with pepper spray.
The Bansko incident has also prompted condemnation from senior Italian politicians.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: “I condemn antisemitism, a virus that must be fought, a form of hatred and discrimination that must be eradicated. I stand with President Victor Fadlon and the Jewish community of Rome.”
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said: “We strongly condemn every form of violence by extremists, Nazis or communists against Jewish communities.
He also condemned what he described as “Jew hunting” and expressed solidarity with the Jewish teenagers targeted.
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