Mural in Milan Honoring Shiri Bibas and Sons Defaced
A mural in Milan, Italy, that paid tribute to Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, has been vandalized, leaving the artwork heavily damaged. This incident follows a previous act of vandalism just weeks earlier. The once-visible Star of David has been removed, and Shiri’s face is now barely recognizable.
AleXsandro Palombo, the contemporary artist behind the mural, expressed his outrage: “Those who did this are cowards who reject our Western values of freedom.” He emphasized that such acts aim to erase history and deny the existence of a community.
The mural, located outside the Qatari consulate, had originally been covered with a different image during a memorial service for the victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The vandal altered Shiri’s face, incorporating an image of a crying boy and adding phrases like “No War” and a bull’s-eye, obscuring her image further.
Palombo labeled the vandalism an “antisemitic act,” highlighting its implications for the Jewish community. He noted, “Striking the Israeli flag that shielded the children is saying that no place is safe for Jews, even in Europe.”
The mural not only represented Shiri and her sons but also carried deeper meanings about identity and protection. Palombo reflected on the significance of the Israeli flag in the artwork, connecting it with the safety and belonging of the children.
Palombo found out about the complete defacement through private messages on social media and is uncertain whether the mural will be restored. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to continue his artistic expression, reinforcing his commitment to stand against acts of hatred.
The artist’s previous works, which honor Holocaust survivors, have also faced similar fates of vandalism. Palombo remains resolute: “We will not back down in the face of fanaticism and radicalism.”
