Rome's Jewish Community Distances Itself from Liberation Day Shooting Suspect

The Jewish Community of Rome has moved swiftly to distance itself from a 21-year-old member arrested in connection with a Liberation Day shooting that injured two partisan activists, declaring "shock and indignation" at the violence and warning against politicization that could fuel further hatred in an already polarized city.

Why This Matters

• Immediate impact: A member of Rome's Jewish Community faces attempted murder charges for shooting two ANPI activists with a softair weapon on April 25, 2025.

• Identity claims rejected: Both the Jewish Brigade Museum in Milan and the Jewish Community of Rome have categorically denied any organizational link to the suspect, despite his self-identification.

• Legal threats: The Brigade's representatives are preparing lawsuits against anyone associating the historic military unit's name with acts of violence.

• Broader tensions: The incident underscores friction in Roman neighborhoods tied to Middle East conflict debates, with documented clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups.

Suspect Claims Affiliation, Jewish Organizations Reject It

Eithan Bondì, the 21-year-old detained by Rome's anti-terrorism prosecutors, reportedly told investigators he belonged to the Jewish Brigade — a claim that triggered immediate and forceful denials from multiple Jewish institutions across Italy.

Davide Romano, director of the Jewish Brigade Museum in Milan, issued a statement making the position unambiguous: "We reiterate forcefully that we do not know him, we have no members answering to this name among our ranks. We also emphasize that we have no representatives or members in the city of Rome."

The museum announced it is exploring legal action against anyone who uses or will use the Brigade's name to associate it with what Romano called "this shameful act." He added: "Violence has never been part of our values and never will represent them."

Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, confirmed Bondì is registered with the community but condemned the violence unequivocally. "The detention of a young man registered with the Jewish Community of Rome for the events of April 25 fills us with shock and indignation," Fadlun stated. "The Jewish Community of Rome condemns and dissociates itself without reservation from any form of anti-democratic violence."

What Happened on Liberation Day

The incident occurred near Parco Schuster in Rome during Liberation Day celebrations on April 25. Two ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans) members — Rossana Gabrieli, 62, and Nicola Fasciano, 66 — sustained minor injuries after being struck by pellets from a softair gun. Both victims were wearing ANPI scarves at the time, symbols of their affiliation with the organization that represents Italy's partisan resistance during World War II.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors moved quickly to identify the suspect. Surveillance footage captured critical evidence: the license plate of a scooter fleeing the scene and a distinctive black helmet with specific decorations worn by the rider. Investigators reconstructed the escape route from the park and traced it back to Bondì's residence in the Monteverde/Viale Marconi area.

During the search of his home, police seized multiple knives, Israeli flags, and several softair guns. Bondì reportedly confessed to the shooting but has not yet articulated a clear motive, telling investigators he disposed of the weapon used in the attack. He remains in Regina Coeli prison awaiting further interrogation.

Who Is Eithan Bondì?

Bondì is an architecture student who has worked irregular jobs, including as a delivery rider. According to investigative reports, his family was unaware of his activities related to the shooting or any extremist leanings.

Prosecutors are currently examining whether Bondì acted as a "lone wolf" or whether he may be connected to broader informal networks that have emerged in Rome's fractious political landscape. Since October 7, 2023, tensions linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict have been documented in certain Roman neighborhoods and across Italy, with sporadic incidents involving pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups.

Investigators are probing whether Bondì had ties to informal groups that self-identify as "Jewish Brigade" at the local level — entities that have no official recognition from Rome's Jewish Community or the historic Jewish Brigade's legacy organizations.

Historical Memory Versus Contemporary Instrumentalization

The Jewish Brigade (Jewish Infantry Brigade Group) was a recognized military unit within the British Army during World War II, composed of approximately 5,000 Jewish volunteers from Mandatory Palestine. It fought under its own flag bearing the Star of David and participated in the final phases of the Italian Campaign in 1944-1945, including breaching the Gothic Line along the Senio River.

After the war, Brigade veterans played crucial roles assisting Holocaust survivors, facilitating clandestine immigration to Palestine, and later forming the backbone of leadership in the Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The Brigade's legacy is rooted in anti-fascist combat, humanitarian relief, and the fight for dignity and freedom.

Romano's statement emphasized this heritage: "The Jewish Brigade fought for freedom and human dignity. To instrumentalize its name to justify or cover violent behavior is an outrage to its memory and to all those who sacrificed themselves under that banner."

What This Means for Residents

For people living in Italy, especially in Rome, the incident is a vivid reminder of how international conflicts can spill into local streets, transforming symbolic commemorations into flashpoints. Liberation Day, traditionally a celebration of Italy's liberation from fascism, has increasingly become contested terrain where different political and ethnic communities assert competing narratives.

The Jewish Community's appeal carries weight in this context. Fadlun called on political forces and civil society to "avoid any instrumentalization that could fuel hatred and generate new violence." His statement reflects concern that isolated acts by individuals could be weaponized to stigmatize entire communities or escalate tensions further.

For Jewish residents of Rome, the incident is particularly painful. Being associated — even falsely — with violence contradicts the community's longstanding commitment to anti-fascist values and its historical role in Italy's Resistance. The swift and unambiguous condemnation by Jewish institutions aims to draw a firewall between Bondì's actions and the broader community.

Investigations Continue

Prosecutors are continuing their investigation into Bondì's motives, social media activity, and possible connections to informal extremist circles. The case has been assigned to Rome's anti-terrorism prosecutors, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities view politically motivated violence.

The incident also comes in the wake of parallel tensions in other Italian cities. In Milan, on the same Liberation Day, the official Jewish Brigade contingent participating in the annual march was blocked and escorted out by pro-Palestinian protesters chanting slogans such as "Zionists out of Milan." Some witnesses reported hearing deeply offensive language, including Holocaust references. The juxtaposition of these two incidents — one involving verbal harassment, the other physical violence — has alarmed community leaders and public officials alike.

Rome's municipal authorities have not yet issued a comprehensive statement, but law enforcement sources indicate heightened vigilance around future public commemorations, particularly those tied to Israeli-Palestinian politics or historical memory.

The Fadlun statement concluded with a call for trust in the Prosecutor's Office and law enforcement to fully clarify the dynamics of the events and all responsibilities. "In such a tense phase," he added, "we appeal for restraint and responsibility."

As the investigation unfolds, the central question remains whether Bondì's actions reflect isolated radicalization or hint at a more organized undercurrent of political violence. For now, the message from Italy's Jewish institutions is unequivocal: violence has no place in their history, their values, or their future.