Antisemitism Surges in Spain, Jewish Children Attend School Under Guard

Antisemitic incidents in Spain saw a significant increase of 14.51% in 2025, with 221 recorded cases compared to 193 the previous year. This data, presented in Madrid by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) and the Movement Against Intolerance (MCI), highlights a trend that has intensified since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The months of July, September, and October saw the highest numbers of incidents.

David Obadia, president of the FCJE, warned that the escalating situation daily impacts the Jewish community's life. He stated that since October 2023, Spanish Jews have been forced to travel with special security. "Our children are the only ones who go to their schools with police presence, and insults and discrimination are part of our daily reality," Obadia said, attributing the worsening situation partly to the far-left's stance.

Esteban Ibarra, president of the Movement Against Intolerance, called for a decisive institutional response, rejecting any legitimization of antisemitism. "Antisemitism is not an opinion or a political dispute but a form of hatred and discrimination against Jews. When it is tolerated, normalized, or minimized, coexistence deteriorates and democracy weakens," Ibarra declared.

Both organizations are demanding a strong and coordinated institutional response from authorities, educational institutions, universities, and digital platforms. They emphasized that the freedom and security of Jewish citizens serve as a barometer for the democratic quality of Spain as a whole.