Are you disappointed about leaving? “I am more disappointed by what my family and I have endured. We were subjected to terrible attacks for no logical reason. The only explanation is a strong anti-Israel sentiment that is difficult not to call antisemitism.” Marco Carrai, the Honorary Consul of Israel in Tuscany, spoke with Pagine Ebraiche after resigning as president of the Meyer Foundation in Florence on September 1. Despite the excellent results achieved during his mandate, the Tuscany Region decided not to renew his position. Under his leadership, the foundation — a non-profit organization established in July 2000 to support scientific research, advanced medical technology, and patient care at the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence — raised more money for the hospital in Florence.
The amount increased from 12 million euros in 2023 to almost 17 million euros in 2026. Carrai’s resignation sparked widespread reactions in Florence. The local Jewish community expressed solidarity, stating that he was paying the price for the political need to “add another trophy to the ‘hunt for Zionists.'”
Twenty-four hours after his resignation, Carrai said: “I have received many messages of support. They came from Meyer employees, doctors, entrepreneurs, and politicians. Among them were the president of the Senate and members of the Democratic Party, Italia Viva, and Forza Italia.” “Antisemitism is an ancient feeling, and I will continue to fight against it. I will work even harder to support the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Personnel turnover or “general feeling”?
During the press conference, Carrai was joined by Eugenio Giani, President of Tuscany. Giani said that the change in the leadership of the Meyer Foundation should not be seen as a “removal”, but simply as a “turnover”. In September 2025, after months of protests against Carrai because of his role as Israel’s Consul, Giani had said: “It would be better to have another person who could reassure the general feeling.” Carrai, however, said he appreciated that Giani “came to the press conference” and “defended me because I achieved excellent results”.
Carrai also spoke about what he and his family had to endure: “My family and I were forced to live almost in a bunker. Pictures showing my face covered in blood, with the words ‘war criminal’ and ‘wanted’, appeared on walls all over Florence and in other places too.” “Think about my children, who are 9, 8 and 5 years old. They saw pictures of their father with his hands and face covered in blood, together with words such as ‘death to Carrai’ and ‘genocidal’.” He added: “Politics has a limit. A political opponent should never become an enemy.”
The UCEI, the Jewish Community, and the ADEI-WIZO are supporting Carrai.
According to Livia Ottolenghi, the president of the UCEI, “The climate of personal and ideological persecution that accompanied the end of Carrai’s term as president of the Meyer Foundation in Florence is an alarming sign for our democracy.” She added that “it is unacceptable that an honorary position and a professional career of great social value are turned into a personal fault because of his connection to the State of Israel.”
The Jewish Community of Florence, in a statement issued with the Florence section of the Association of Italian Jewish Women (ADEI-WIZO), expressed support for Carrai, praising him for continuing to carry out “the very difficult role of Consul of Israel during these years of war, despite the violent campaign against him and the constant need for protection for him and his family.”
The Jewish Community and ADEI-WIZO said they were struck by the “populism” behind the decision involving Carrai. They emphasized that that choice was dictated solely by the interest in “waving the flag of hatred against Israel, a country considered unacceptable in principle” and “using it for political advantage.”
Carrai also received support from 125 people, including journalists, academics, and professionals, who signed an open letter published in the media. Regarding the former president of the Meyer Foundation, the letter states, “Only one fact is indicated: “He is the honorary Consul of Israel, a position that is apparently considered incompatible with any other activity.”
Adam Smulevich
Translated by Elizabeth El Khoury and revised by Caterina Mansani, students at the Advanced School for Interpreters and Translators of the University of Trieste, trainees in the newsroom of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities – Pagine Ebraiche.