An award-winning Bavarian pizzeria placed a sign on its front door warning on Sunday that Israeli citizens were not welcome at the restaurant, but after public outrage, the sign was removed and the owner issued an apology to the local Jewish community.
The sign, which was displayed for several hours according to the Jewish Community of Fürth (IKG Fürth), explained that the Fürth business Pizza Zulu was engaging in protest against Israelis.
"We love all people, no matter where they come from. We believe that the children of this world should not be harmed under any circumstances. We are an international team. We are part of civil society and will therefore not stand idly by like the rest of the world. That is why we have decided to protest," read the sign, according to a photograph provided by IKG Fürth. "Our protest is not political, let alone racist. Israeli citizens are not welcome in this establishment. Of course, they will be welcome again as soon as they decide to open their eyes, ears, and hearts."
Echoes of the Holocaust
After a mounting public outrage about the sign, it was removed, according to a letter by the Pizzeria owner.
The Nuremberg-Fürth public prosecutor’s office said on Friday that it was conducting a preliminary investigation into whether Pizza Zulu's actions constituted a criminal offense.
IKG Fürth chairwoman Julia Tschekalina related to The Jerusalem Post that she had been saddened by the sign, which reminded her of the Nazi era persecution of Jews.
Alliance against right-wing extremism in the Nuremberg metropolitan region chairman Stephan Doll said in a social media statement that his organization stood in solidarity with Israeli citizens and IKG Fürth.
"It is pure antisemitism!" said Doll. "This sign commemorates the darkest times in our history."
Zulu Pizza owner Gaspare Squitieri issued an apology on Thursday for posting the notice, explaining that while he wanted to protest the ongoing war, it was wrong to exclude Israelis. It was not his intention to spread hatred, said Squitieri, but that was what happened and he took full responsibility.
"I am a person with emotions, with values. I see the suffering in the world, especially that of children. I wanted to make a statement of protest against violence and war — but in doing so I crossed a line that must never be crossed: I excluded people in a blanket way," wrote Squitieri. "I now understand why this notice was not only seen as a political statement, but as antisemitic. Even though that was never my intention, I recognize that it reopened deep wounds for many people."
Pizza Zulu also posted on Instagram on Friday morning that Squitieri detested antisemitism and wars that caused the death of innocent people.
"Anyone who knows me knows this is the truth," read the Instagram story.
IKG Fürth said Thursday that it remained to be seen if the statement reflected genuine realization or concern over reputational and financial damage. The organization expressed suspicion of a double stance indicated by the restaurant's official account liking shows of solidarity on Instagram, including remarks dismissing outrage about the sign as people not being able "to stand the truth," or that it was part of a "smear campaign."
Pro-Palestinian groups organized actions of support for the Pizzeria, with the group Palemanya calling for supporters to go to Pizza Zulu on Thursday to order something and share positive reviews. Palemany and Rise for Gaza Nürnberg said on social media that Squitieri was being defamed, losing customers, and was being given negative reviews on Google.
"Because he had the courage to speak out against the genocide and to act humanely, he is now being massively attacked," Palemanya said on Instagram. "Let's show together that humanity must not be punished."
The Fürth incident followed a similar incident in Flensburg, when a shop owner displayed a sign forbidding Jews from entry in response to the war in the Levant. On Monday, the Flensburg Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had initiated an investigation into the shop owner on suspicion of incitement to hatred.