Italy's commissioner for combating antisemitism intervened to remove an anonymous online form that encouraged users to report the locations of Jewish and Israeli tourists, the Times of Israel reports. The form, which drew comparisons to 1930s persecution, was shut down within days of its discovery.
Italy's commissioner for combating antisemitism intervened to shut down the 'Mapping Zionist Tourism' questionnaire, an anonymous online form that encouraged users to report the locations of Jewish and Israeli tourists, according to the Times of Israel. The form was removed within days of its discovery, which had sparked outrage among Jewish leaders who compared it to the persecution of the 1930s.
As The Zioneer reported on July 21, the form's appearance prompted comparisons to historical antisemitic persecution. The questionnaire asked users to identify where 'Zionists' were staying at hotels, stores, and businesses, raising alarms about the weaponization of crowdsourced data for harassment.
The Zioneer has reported on other antisemitic incidents in Europe, including a European vacation home closing its pool after Jews entered with clothes, and a Greek travel agency refusing Israeli customers.
In an opinion piece published by The Zioneer, Jaclyn S. Clark argues that even after the form was taken down, the algorithms had already minted new antisemites, warning that the infrastructure for such targeting remains in place.
- StrongAnonymous form urging reporting of Jews in Italy sparks outrage, Jewish leaders compare to 1930s persecution
- DevelopingGreek travel agency refuses Israeli customers in antisemitic email, drawing low ratings backlash
- DevelopingEuropean vacation home closes pool for disinfection after Jews enter with clothes
- StrongBen Gvir scoffs at Italian investigation: 'Boot country became slipper country'
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