Spain’s Federation of Jewish Communities (FCJE) on Friday denounced what it called a “worrying rise in antisemitism,” days after condemning pro-Palestinian protests that halted the finale of the Vuelta cycling race in Madrid.
“In all our homes and celebrations there will be deep consternation due to the serious episodes of antisemitism we are experiencing,” the FCJE said ahead of the Jewish New Year beginning Monday.
The federation, which estimates Spain’s Jewish population at about 70,000, said the community faces “insults, harassment, demands, stigmatisation and expressions of hatred for being Jewish.”
Spain has seen a surge in antisemitic acts since October 2023, when Hamas’s attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war. Interior ministry data released in July showed incidents rose by nearly 61 percent in 2024, while a separate report by the Antisemitism Observatory—composed of the FCJE and the Movement Against Intolerance—recorded a 321-percent increase compared with the previous year.
Tensions spiked last Sunday when more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators flooded Madrid’s streets, forcing the suspension of the Vuelta’s final stage after protesters invaded the course and clashed with police. The FCJE later condemned “serious incidents of violence by pro-Palestinian groups” that it said “feed hatred and provide cover for a worrying increase in antisemitism.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and praised pro-Palestinian demonstrations, has presided over deteriorating relations with Israel. Madrid this month recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
