Spain's recent recognition of Palestinian statehood has stirred unease among its Jewish residents, bringing to the surface a complex history that spans centuries of persecution and recent attempts at reconciliation.
The Iberian Peninsula was once home to one of Europe's largest and most prosperous Jewish communities. However, this era came to a brutal end with the Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478. In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering all Jews to convert to Christianity or face expulsion. This edict led to the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Sephardic Jews, marking a dark chapter in Spanish history that would not be officially repudiated until the formal abolition of the Inquisition in 1834.
Against this historical backdrop, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's May 28 announcement recognizing Palestinian statehood has taken on added significance. Spain has positioned itself as one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel's actions in Gaza, a stance that resonates with many Spaniards—a survey by the Real Elcano Institute found 78% in favor of recognizing a Palestinian state.
For Spain's Jewish residents and Israeli expatriates, however, the political climate has become increasingly tense. Antisemitic incidents have spiked since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, mirroring troubling trends across Europe.
"It's shameful what happened, honestly," said one Israeli woman who has lived in Madrid for a decade, speaking to the disconnect she perceives between political posturing and daily realities.
The situation is particularly fraught in regions with larger Arabic populations. Sivan Bar-oz Ortega, an Israeli living in Catalonia, described a climate of fear: "Jews are really scared, especially women. I went to buy pepper spray like many others."
Spain's stance has not been limited to rhetoric. On June 6, it became the first EU nation to join South Africa's Gaza genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, further straining diplomatic relations.
These developments come at a poignant moment in Spain's relationship with its Jewish heritage. In 2015, the country introduced a citizenship law for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition, granting citizenship to 36,000 applicants by 2021. This move was seen as a step towards reconciliation for historical wrongs.
Now, some fear this progress may be undermined. More than 50 groups have petitioned the Spanish government to combat rising antisemitism, citing concerns about political representatives participating alongside "anti-Semitic organizations."
The situation also poses practical concerns for Israeli expatriates. Some worry about potential complications if diplomatic tensions lead to the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Spain.
Spain's vocal Pro-Palestine support has succeeded in reopening a 500 year old wound in the heart of modern Europe. Spanish Jews are now questioning whether the time has come to once again leave.
* The Times of Israel contributed to this article.
