Spain’s Federation of Jewish Communities denounced Friday what it referred to as a “worrying rise in antisemitism” within the nation, days after condemning pro-Palestinian protests that halted the Vuelta biking race’s finale.
Jews make up a small minority in Spain, the place pro-Palestinian sentiment is widespread and whose authorities’s strained relations with Israel over the Gaza conflict have plumbed new depths.
Ahead of the Jewish New Year starting Monday, “in all our houses and celebrations there will likely be deep consternation because of the severe episodes of antisemitism we’re experiencing”, the FCJE federation stated in an announcement.
It stated the neighborhood, which it estimates at round 70,000 folks, confronted “insults, harassment, calls for, stigmatisation and expressions of hatred for being Jewish”.
The FCJE had already stated Jews in Spain skilled a rising variety of “assaults, insults, threats and intimidation” since October 2023, when an assault on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered the Gaza conflict.
Antisemitic acts in Spain jumped by virtually 61 p.c in 2024, growing to 37 incidents from 23 recorded the earlier 12 months, based on a report in July by the inside ministry.
Another report drawn up by the Antisemitism Observatory, made up of the FCJE and the Movement Against Intolerance, recorded a 321-percent rise in incidents final 12 months in contrast with 2023.
Advertisement
More than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters hit the streets of Madrid final Sunday, forcing the ultimate stage of the Vuelta grand biking tour to be suspended as they invaded the course, some clashing with police.
The FCJE had condemned Monday “severe incidents of violence by pro-Palestinian teams” that “feed hatred and supply cowl for a worrying enhance in antisemitism in Spain”.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a fierce critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which he calls a “genocide”, has repeatedly expressed “admiration” for the protests.
Spain’s relations with Israel soured additional this month, with Madrid recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
READ ALSO: Left and proper conflict in Spain over Vuelta’s pro-Palestine protests
