A mural in Milan, Italy, that honored Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (10 months), who were killed during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, was destroyed in a recent act of antisemitic vandalism. The artwork, originally created by Vancouver-based street artist iHeart, was a powerful tribute to the victims, depicting a grieving mother and her children in a poignant moment of loss. The mural was placed outside the Qatari consulate in Milan and was first vandalized in September, just weeks after it was unveiled at a memorial service for the victims of Hamas’ attacks.
The latest assault targeted the Star of David, removing it from the image and obscuring Shiri’s face, which was initially portrayed as a crying mother over a lack of social media attention. A red bullseye was added over her face, further emphasizing the act’s intent to vilify Jewish identity. Contemporary artist AleXsandro Palombo, who created the mural, condemned the vandalism as an antisemitic act aimed at erasing history and denying the existence of a people. Palombo described the vandalism as an effort to impose an ideology that rejects democratic coexistence and resorts to fear to rewrite the present.
Palombo revealed the full extent of the damage through private messages on his social media accounts, stating that the attackers struck the Israeli flag that shielded the children in the mural. The flag was not only a protective symbol but also a representation of the children’s belonging and identity. Palombo emphasized that the assault was a clear message that no place is safe for Jews, even in the heart of Europe. He vowed to respond by continuing his art, asserting that every attempt at erasure would be an opportunity to reaffirm their identity and resist the tide of fanaticism and radicalism.
The damage to the children’s likenesses in the mural further underscored the personal nature of the attack, targeting not just the mother but also the young victims. The vandalism sparked a hate crime investigation, as reported by the Israeli-American Council HQ in Los Angeles, highlighting the serious implications of antisemitic acts. Other works by Palombo, including murals dedicated to Holocaust survivors, have previously been targeted, indicating a broader pattern of vandalism aimed at erasing Jewish history and presence.
Palombo’s determination to continue his work despite the attacks reflects the resilience of the Jewish community in the face of ongoing hostility. He described himself as