Israeli Player's Wife Harassed and Threatened at Basketball Match in Italy
The wife of an American basketball player for an Italian team, who is Israeli and Jewish, faced verbal abuse and threats from spectators after a match in Italy.
An anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incident occurred following a second-tier basketball league match in Italy between Rimini and Avellino, when Stav Yitzhak, the wife of Rimini's American player Cody Demps, was harassed inside the arena.
Incident Details and Intervention
According to reports in the Italian press, two individuals recognized that she is Israeli and Jewish, hurled abuse at her including the word "murderer," and made hand gestures simulating gunfire. The incident took place after the final whistle of the match, which Avellino won 73-72. Stav, who is in her ninth month of pregnancy, was targeted as most players were already in the locker rooms and spectators had largely departed.
"I want to express my full solidarity over an unacceptable incident that has nothing to do with Rimini," stated Rimini Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad.
Other Rimini fans and partners of team players rushed to her defense, shielding Stav and pushing the attackers away. Security personnel subsequently removed the two individuals from the venue, and police launched an investigation to identify the suspects.
Club and Municipal Condemnation
Rimini's basketball club issued a strong official condemnation, distancing itself from the behavior of a few individuals. Municipal leaders similarly denounced the hostility, emphasizing that the city values sportsmanship and rejects violence or discrimination in any form.
