Spanish Jews denounce 'worrying rise in antisemitism'

Jews make up a small minority in Spain, where pro-Palestinian sentiment is widespread and whose government's strained relations with Israel over the Gaza war have plumbed new depths.

Ahead of the Jewish New Year beginning Monday, "in all our homes and celebrations there will be deep consternation due to the serious episodes of antisemitism we are experiencing", the FCJE federation said in a statement.

It said the community, which it estimates at around 70,000 people, faced "insults, harassment, demands, stigmatisation and expressions of hatred for being Jewish".

The FCJE had already said Jews in Spain experienced a growing number of "attacks, insults, threats and intimidation" since October 2023, when an attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered the Gaza war.

Antisemitic acts in Spain jumped by almost 61 percent in 2024, increasing to 37 incidents from 23 recorded the previous year, according to a report in July by the interior 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 last year compared with 2023.

More than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters hit the streets of Madrid last Sunday, forcing the final stage of the Vuelta grand cycling tour to be suspended as they invaded the course, some clashing with police.

The FCJE had condemned Monday "serious incidents of violence by pro-Palestinian groups" that "feed hatred and provide cover for a worrying increase 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 further this month, with Madrid recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv.

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