A group of black-clad neo-Nazis surrounded a hotel in the Bulgarian resort town of Bansko, blocking entrances, giving Nazi salutes and chanting “Sieg Heil” at Jewish youth delegations from Israel and Italy, returning to the scene after police had left as European officials demanded those responsible be prosecuted.
A neo-Nazi group surrounded a hotel in Bansko, a resort town in southwestern Bulgaria, where dozens of Jewish teenagers were staying as part of an international youth training programme, shouting Nazi slogans, performing Nazi salutes and threatening those inside. The group, dressed in black shirts bearing skull symbols, gathered outside the hotel on Sunday while delegations of young people from Italy and Israel, taking part in a programme for youth movement instructors, were staying there. Demonstrators blocked the hotel’s entrances, hurled insults at the teenagers, raised their arms in Nazi salutes and chanted “Sieg Heil,” and reportedly returned to continue the intimidation after police had already left the scene. The incident has since drawn strong condemnation from officials across Europe, along with calls for prosecutions.
What “Sieg Heil” means
The phrase “Sieg Heil,” meaning “Hail Victory,” was one of the principal slogans used by Nazi Germany and remains widely recognised as a symbol of support for Adolf Hitler’s regime and Nazi ideology.
Where the incident took place
Bansko is a well-known mountain resort in southwestern Bulgaria, most commonly associated with skiing but also used throughout the year as a venue for international youth programmes and cultural events. Bulgaria is home to one of Europe’s oldest Jewish communities, with roots dating back to Roman times. The country is widely recognised for the rescue of around 48,000 Bulgarian Jews from deportation during the Second World War, though Jews living in territories then administered by Bulgaria were deported and murdered during the Holocaust.
Condemnation from Italian officials
Bulgarian officials condemned the incident, and reaction quickly extended beyond the country’s borders. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described antisemitism as “a virus that must be fought, a form of hatred and discrimination that must be eradicated,” and said he stood with the Jewish community of Rome and its president, Victor Fadlon. Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, also condemned the attack, saying authorities “strongly condemn every form of violence by extremists, Nazis or communists against Jewish communities,” and describing what he referred to as events in Sofia as extremely serious. Salvini went further, stating that any form of “Jew hunting” was unacceptable, and expressed solidarity with the Jewish teenagers targeted in the incident.
The legal picture in Bulgaria
Under Bulgarian law, incitement to racial, ethnic or religious hatred is prohibited, and those found guilty of such offences can face criminal prosecution. The display of Nazi symbols and gestures is not explicitly banned in every circumstance under Bulgarian law, but their use can form part of criminal investigations where they are linked to hate crimes or incitement, meaning the actions of the group in Bansko could potentially fall within the scope of a criminal inquiry.
Part of a wider pattern across Europe
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has repeatedly warned that antisemitic incidents across Europe have increased in recent years, particularly during periods of heightened international tension. Separately, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has found that many Jewish people across Europe continue to experience antisemitism, with some choosing to avoid displaying visible signs of their faith in public due to safety concerns. In response, governments across the continent have stepped up efforts to tackle extremist groups and hate crimes, with many adopting national action plans aimed specifically at combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities. European Jewish organisations have also repeatedly called for stronger security measures at schools, synagogues, community centres and youth events, following a series of antisemitic incidents in recent years. Jewish youth organisations regularly run international leadership seminars and educational exchanges of the kind targeted in Bansko, bringing together teenagers from different countries to learn about community leadership, history and intercultural dialogue. The incident in Bansko has renewed concerns over the safety of Jewish communities and visitors travelling across Europe.
