Call Me Back - with Dan Senor The Perfect Storm - with Benjamin Birely
66 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Benjamin Birely, a classical historian and PhD candidate living in Naples, sheds light on the alarming rise of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in Italy. He recounts experiencing hostility at universities and daily life marked by anti-Israel sentiments. Birely attributes this phenomenon to historical roots, including a complex Catholic legacy and a hostile political climate. He discusses Italian Jews' varied responses to these challenges and reflects on how these experiences shape their identity and future considerations. A candid dive into a pressing issue!
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Campus Boycott And Hostile Graffiti
- Benjamin described arriving at L'Orientale and finding “Intifada until Victory” painted on a main gate that stayed unremoved for months.
- He experienced an organized academic boycott after colleagues learned he was from Tel Aviv University.
Daily Hostility In Naples Streets
- Benjamin walked Napoli scanning streets for “Zionists are not welcome” signs and faced potential ejection from shops when his accent betrayed him.
- He saw Palestinian flags, anti-Israel graffiti, media cartoons, and LGBTQ Jews booed off a pride stage.
Mainstreamed, Cross‑Generational Movement
- Benjamin says Italy's pro-Palestine movement has gone mainstream across generations, regions, and classes.
- That cross-cutting breadth makes Italian anti-Israel sentiment deeper than isolated campus or leftist pockets.
