By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Tzemach Mizrachi, a Chabad Shliach and rabbi of the central Chabad community in Milan, Italy, was attacked Wednesday evening by three men while waiting at a bus stop in the city’s Jewish neighborhood.

Rabbi Mizrachi, an Israeli citizen who moved to Milan on Shlichus nearly 30 years ago, said he was on his way to pick up his children from school when the three began harassing him.

“They started provoking me and grabbed my hat,” he told COLlive. “When I asked them to give it back, one of them kicked me very hard and sent me flying into the street. Baruch Hashem, I did not need medical treatment.”

Police responded to the incident and arrested all three suspects, who were taken in for questioning.

“I’ve already been at the police station for several hours to clarify what happened and complete the investigation,” Rabbi Mizrachi, 51, said. “The police took it very seriously. They arrested the attackers immediately, and they will remain in custody overnight.”

Rabbi Mizrachi said that in recent months he has increasingly felt tension on the streets, while emphasizing that the police response to the attack was firm.

“Recently, we have begun feeling their presence in the streets more and more,” he said. “At the same time, the police are taking this very seriously, and I hope the arrest of the three attackers will serve as a deterrent and help restore calm.”