Jewish Group Harassed and Chased in Antisemitic Incident in Barcelona

The Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain announced on Monday that it is considering legal action following a severe antisemitic incident in Barcelona. The event occurred on Saturday night when a group of French Jews left a synagogue after prayers and a Shabbat meal. Two members of the group, wearing kippot, one dressed in Hasidic attire, were identified as Jews and became targets of verbal abuse and harassment on their way to their hotel.

According to eyewitness accounts, a woman wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh began following the group, shouting antisemitic slurs and repeatedly spitting at them. Subsequently, dozens of people joined her, some on bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, chanting phrases such as "Jews are not welcome in Barcelona," "baby killers," and "Israeli genocide." This harassment prevented the group from moving freely, and they feared physical assault for an extended period.

The ordeal ended only when the group reached the Arts Hotel, where security personnel prevented the crowd from entering the hotel premises. Both the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain and the Barcelona Jewish community are collecting testimonies and video evidence to consider legal measures. They have called on witnesses or anyone with footage from the promenade, Olympic Port area, or near the Sofitel and Arts hotels on the night of the incident to share the information with the local Jewish community.