When is political speech no longer just speech?
A recent case in Italy is forcing that question into the spotlight.
Gabriele Rubini – better known to many as “Chef Rubio,” the tattooed TV chef-turned-activist – is no stranger to controversy. But on July 17, 2025, his activism triggered a full-blown investigation by Italy’s anti-terrorism unit, DIGOS, leading to a raid on his home and the seizure of his devices. The reason? Posts on X that authorities say may constitute incitement to racial hatred. The case has reignited debate in Italy and across Europe over freedom of expression, antisemitism disguised as political protest, and where digital activism crosses into dangerous territory.
What Happened?
The investigation centers on two posts made by Rubini in May, in which he wrote: “Death to diplomats complicit in the genocide… death therefore to Zionism and the Jewish colony.”
The language – particularly the generalized call for death – prompted Italian prosecutors to open a case under laws prohibiting hate speech and incitement to racial discrimination. On the morning of July 17, DIGOS officers searched Rubini’s home in the Castelli Romani region, confiscating electronic devices and combing through private messaging apps like Signal and Telegram. Rubini was detained, questioned, and released later that evening.
The raid came just months after Rubini publicly urged followers to file war crimes complaints against Israeli General Ghassan Alian during his visit to Rome. Rubini went as far as to share the general’s hotel location and the phone number of a legal activist – actions many interpret as targeted harassment.
A Pattern of Antisemitic Rhetoric
Rubini has a documented history of inflammatory statements about Jews and Israelis, including:
- Praising violent resistance groups such as Hezbollah.
- Minimizing or mocking Holocaust remembrance events on social media.
- Sharing antisemitic imagery and conspiracy theories targeting Israel and Jews globally.
In 2024, an Italian court ruled that some of his content constituted hate speech and ordered it removed. In early 2025, he was fined €30,000 for additional posts targeting the Jewish community. The Italian Jewish Youth Union has been one of several groups pursuing legal action against him.
Rubio and the Far-Left
Rubini is closely affiliated with the CARC Party (Comitati di Appoggio alla Resistenza per il Comunismo), a fringe far-left group known for supporting militant activism and extreme anti-Israel rhetoric. CARC has circulated “blacklists” of Jewish and Zionist individuals, encouraging supporters to “condemn and fight” them – a tactic reminiscent of old-school antisemitic targeting campaigns.
Why It Matters
Rubini’s case represents a troubling combination of online hate, offline mobilization, and ideological radicalization. While criticism of Israeli policy is fair game in democratic societies, Rubini’s statements go far beyond that. They use dehumanizing stereotypes, glorify violence, and directly endanger individuals. Chef Rubio’s story isn’t just about one man’s words. It’s about accountability. Words online can lead to violence offline. This is why FOA works every day to track, report, and remove antisemitic content online.
The fight against online hate isn’t theoretical. It’s urgent – and it’s global.
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