Naples, tourist leaves hate message in a bar in Piazza Plebiscito: “Neapolitan Jews”

Naples – An ignoble and prejudiced gesture has stained the hospitality of Napoli.

The writing, “Neapolitan Jews,” sparked outrage and reignited the debate on anti-Semitism and intolerance toward Neapolitans.

The gesture was reported by the owner of the venue, Gud Lovely Drink, located in via Cesario Console, corner of Piazza Plebiscito. The owner reported the incident to the deputy of Alleanza Verdi-Sinistra, Francesco Emilio Borrelli, who promptly commented on the matter.

“There are customers who come to Naples for the weekend and dirty the bathrooms of our place,” said the owner of the bar, highlighting how episodes of this kind are unacceptable in a city known for its hospitality and human warmth.

Borrelli, who has always been a critical voice but deeply tied to the city, expressed his opinion with clear and decisive words: "Naples has always been able to welcome everyone, even those who hate it and have always hated it. And at the same time it manages to turn feelings on their head. If you arrive here full of prejudice and hatred, you leave in love. I'm not the one saying it, it's the world that proves it."

The deputy then added: "Whoever made that sign was almost certainly in the city for the first time. I believe that he already regrets it, also for having offended the Jews in an unacceptable way. If he were not so, he would be a person without feelings and dignity. If he reads this, he should apologize to the owner of the place, to the Neapolitans and to the Jews."

The episode has reignited the debate on two fronts: on the one hand, anti-Semitism, unfortunately still present in some fringes of society; on the other, intolerance towards Neapolitans, often the object of stereotypes and prejudices. The writing, in fact, seems to unite two forms of hatred in a single gesture, mixing racism and contempt towards a community known for its resilience and welcoming spirit.

Naples, however, does not respond to the provocations. As Borrelli pointed out, the city has the ability to transform hate into love, to conquer even those who arrive with hearts full of prejudices. And perhaps, precisely for this reason, the tourist's gesture seems even more senseless and far from the spirit of a city that, despite everything, continues to leave its mark on the hearts of those who visit it.

Now, all that remains is to wait. Perhaps, as Borrelli suggests, the “racist graffiti artist” will retrace his steps, apologizing for an act that has offended not only the Neapolitans, but also the Jewish community and all those who believe in respect and tolerance.