by InTrieste
A French Jewish family was assaulted Sunday afternoon at a motorway rest area near Lainate, along the Milano–Laghi highway, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
According to witness reports, the incident began when a man confronted the family—whose father and young son were wearing visibly religious attire—shouting political slogans including “Free Palestine.” The confrontation reportedly escalated as others joined in, with some individuals shouting “Go back home” and “This is not Gaza.” The father was pushed to the ground, and his glasses were broken in the scuffle. His six-year-old son was briefly separated from him but was quickly reunited.
The altercation took place in a crowded area of the service station, a common stop for travelers during the busy summer holiday season. Witnesses estimated that up to 20 people may have been involved in the verbal and physical aggression.
The father, who recorded part of the confrontation, refused to delete the footage when asked. Police are now reviewing the video as part of an ongoing investigation to identify those involved and determine the appropriate legal response.
Authorities are examining whether the episode meets the legal threshold for hate crime charges under Italian law. In a statement, police said they are working to reconstruct the sequence of events through eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage.
The incident has prompted widespread discussion on social media, with many expressing concern over the safety of minority communities and the potential for politically charged rhetoric to escalate into violence. It has also raised questions about public security at rest areas, which see heavy foot traffic during the summer months.
No arrests have been made at this time.
