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Some users told Carasso, who is descended from Holocaust survivors, to “return to Auschwitz like your grandfather.”
By Shula Rosen
A 10-year-old Israel advocate who has become a prominent voice for children affected by Oct. 7 and its aftermath faced a wave of online antisemitism after an interview with the Italian daily Il Riformista.
Ben Carasso, known in Israel for lighting a torch at the Independence Day ceremony, told the paper that the youngest Israeli victims of the conflict continue to bear deep wounds.
Within hours of publication, hundreds of hateful responses were posted across the newspaper’s social media channels, according to Israel Hayom.
Many of the comments attacked Carasso personally. Some users told Carasso, who is descended from Holocaust survivors, to “return to Auschwitz like your grandfather,” while others circulated grotesque caricatures and tropes accusing Jews of harming children.
Several posts depicted Israeli soldiers with Nazi symbols on their uniforms.
In the interview, Carasso described the toll of the war on Israeli youth, saying dozens of children had been murdered and many others kidnapped, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were later killed in captivity.
He noted that tens of thousands of children were forced from their homes and many were left with physical and emotional scars. He also announced the launch of his memorial project for the children killed since Oct. 7, which sparked another round of antisemitic responses from readers.
Carasso noted that his interview coincided with global commemorations of Kristallnacht, saying that the same hatred that once set synagogues ablaze in Europe is resurfacing today “in the streets, in the media, and online.”
Despite the vitriol, he insisted he would not be silenced. He said his mission is to continue explaining what Israeli children have endured, adding that recent weeks of advocacy in the United States brought him into contact with thousands of people eager to hear firsthand accounts.
Since Oct. 7, Carasso has taken on an informal public diplomacy role, using his social media platforms in English and Hebrew to describe the challenges facing Israeli children. Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too! Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion. Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
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