Banško hotel neo‑Nazi attack on Italian Jewish teens

neo‑Nazi attack Italian Jewish teens Banško hotel Bulgaria police anti‑Semitism

On 2 August 2026 a group of neo‑Nazi attackers tried to force entry into a hotel in Banško, Bulgaria, where Italian Jewish adolescents were staying as part of an international program. The youths were threatened, shouted “Sieg Heil”, performed Nazi salutes and attempted to breach the building.

Bulgarian police intervened, preventing any physical confrontation and reporting no injuries among the teenagers or staff. Interior Minister Lyubomir Nikolov met with Dr. Alina Levi, chair of the Jewish organization “Shalom”, to discuss the incident and called for a clear distinction between hooliganism and anti‑Semitism. Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned hate speech and urged visitors to respect Bulgarian law, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity and condemned the antisemitic act. The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee criticised the lack of decisive condemnation and demanded an independent investigation.

The Ministry of Interior later clarified that the incident occurred in Banško, not Sofia, and confirmed that police actions averted any escalation.

Entities

Antonio Tajani · Bulgaria · Bulgarian police · Dr. Alina Levi · Gabriel · Italian Jewish Community of Rome · Italian Jewish adolescents · Jewish Community of Rome · Lyubomir Nikolov · Matteo Salvini · Naziskin · Naziskin (neo‑Nazi skinhead group)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 25 SOURCES] On 2 August 2026 a group of naziskin attempted to force entry into a hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosting Italian Jewish adolescents from Rome and Milan. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +18 more
[● 27 SOURCES] No injuries were reported among the adolescents or staff. askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · www.liberoquotidiano.it · qds.it · +20 more
[● 25 SOURCES] The hotel was hosting Italian Jewish adolescents from Rome and Milan. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +18 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Bulgarian authorities opened an investigation to identify the perpetrators of the hotel assault. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +5 more
[● 25 SOURCES] After the first police intervention, the naziskin returned and blocked the entrance again. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +18 more
[● 27 SOURCES] Bulgarian police intervened and prevented the attackers from entering the hotel. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +20 more
[● 25 SOURCES] Victor Fadlun, president of the Rome Jewish Community, condemned the incident and called for a Bulgarian investigation and prosecution. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +18 more
[● 27 SOURCES] The attackers shouted “Sieg Heil” and performed Nazi salutes. www.lospecialegiornale.it · www.notizie.it · askanews.it · www.bigodino.it · centrostudiamericani.org · +20 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity with the victims and condemned the antisemitic incident. www.europesays.com · askanews.it · www.agenpress.it · www.lanotteonline.it · breaking.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] A group of neo‑Nazi individuals surrounded a hotel in Banско where dozens of Jewish youths from Israel and Italy were staying as part of an international educational program. www.actualno.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee criticized the lack of decisive condemnation by politicians and called for prompt, independent investigations into the hate‑motivated incidents in Banско and Plovdiv. defakto.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] Dr. Alina Levi, chair of the Jewish organization “Shalom”, met with Interior Minister Lyubomir Nikolov to discuss the incident and called for a clear distinction between hooliganism and anti‑Semitism. breaking.bg