Ultra-Orthodox Jew Stabbed in Milan

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A Jewish man was stabbed multiple times outside a kosher pizzeria in Italy, in what the World Jewish Congress said is believed to have been a targeted attack.

Natan Graf, the son-in-law of Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Levi Hezkia, sustained serious injuries, including to his face, in the attack Thursday night. Graf, who is in his 40s, was treated in hospital and is not in danger, Moshe Shaikevitz, director of Beit Chabad-Milan Jewish Center, said in an interview for the Chabad official website.

The attack happened at 8:20 p.m. local time outside the Carmel Kosher Pizzeria in the heart of Milan’s Jewish neighborhood. The assailant fled the scene. Police do not have a suspect in custody

According to Shaikevitz, a number of young Israeli students standing not far from the scene heard the victim’s screams and came to his aid while the assailant fled with a waiting accomplice. The attacker, whose face was covered during the attack, has not yet been apprehended.

“That is the most serious event that ever happened in our Community,” the president of Jewish Community of Milan, Raffaele Besso, said after the attack.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said in a statement Friday: “Violent attacks against innocent civilians are to be abhorred, regardless of their motive. If this indeed was a deliberate and malicious targeting of a man because he is identifiably Jewish, it is imperative that Italian authorities treat this incident with utmost severity.”

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