Spain's Anti-Israel sentiments escalate to an unprecedented level of absurdity
In recent years, Spain has found itself at the heart of a complex geopolitical situation, with its relations with Israel turning contentious. Spanish institutions, including the government, have adopted a policy of isolating Israel in various international arenas. This decision, according to reports, has been driven by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has been cited as a catalyst for the surge in antisemitic incidents in Spain.
The war in Gaza seems to have had a ripple effect, with incidents of antisemitism in Spain increasing significantly since 2023. According to Spain's Observatorio contra el Antisemitismo, there was a 567% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year. This disturbing trend has been marked by incidents such as the removal of 44 French Jewish children and their eight adult guardians from a Vueling flight from Valencia to Paris in July.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sañchez, has expressed a desire to do more to contribute to Israel's isolation. He announced an arms embargo on Israel, lamenting that Spain, due to not having nuclear weapons, cannot stop the Israeli offensive. However, Sañchez's stance against Israel is not new. He has been a vocal advocate for the isolation of Israel in sports and cultural areas, a stance he has held since at least 2024.
Madrid has taken several steps to isolate Israel, including recognising Palestinian statehood, asking to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and banning ships and aircraft carrying weapons or military fuel to Israel from Spanish ports and airspace. Spain has also threatened to pull out of the World Cup in 2026 if Israel qualifies and is allowed to compete.
The isolationist policy has not been without controversy. Pro-Palestine protests in Spanish cities have disrupted events such as the Vuelta a Espana cycling race. The Israeli chess players who participated in a tournament in Spain were told they could not compete under their national flag, leading to seven of them withdrawing from the competition.
Moreover, incidents of antisemitism have been reported in everyday settings. Israeli customers were verbally abused and thrown out of a restaurant in Vigo in July. Jewish passengers on a transatlantic flight to Madrid discovered their kosher meals covered in 'Free Palestine' stickers. Pro-Palestine slogans were splashed on the facade of a Jewish community centre/synagogue in Girona.
In an alarming hypothetical scenario, Sañchez suggested that if Spain had nuclear weapons, it would be willing to use them to wipe Israel off the map. This statement, while hypothetical, has caused concern and sparked debate.
As Spain continues to navigate this complex issue, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. However, one thing is clear: the rise in antisemitism and Spain's stance against Israel are issues that demand attention and action.
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