Antisemitic incidents in Spain rose 14.5% in 2025, Spanish Jewish group tells Senate in report

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain presented its annual report on antisemitism for the year 2025, documenting a general increase in reported incidents compared to the previous year and detailing episodes of hostility across various public, institutional, educational, and sports spheres, to the Spanish Senate on Monday.

The report was conducted by the Spanish Observatory on Antisemitism Observatorio de Antisemitismo in Spain, an initiative of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain and the Movement against Intolerance.

According to the report, in 2025, 221 antisemitic incidents were recorded, representing a 14.51% increase compared to the 193 cases registered in 2024.

The report notes that the months with the highest hostile activity coincided with the anniversary of October 7, as well as peaks recorded in September and July. Furthermore, the report highlights significant underreporting driven by fear of retaliation, distrust, or the emotional toll on victims.

The report emphasized that Israel has been made the center of hostilities that have spilled over into Jewish communities, institutions, and sympathetic citizens.

Institutional pressure urges exclusion of Israel in media, cultural events

Among the unprecedented institutional and cultural events mentioned in the report is the decision by Spain's public broadcaster, RTVE, not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in response to Israel's inclusion, alongside active institutional pressure campaigns urging other European public broadcasters to force Israel's exclusion or promote a collective withdrawal.

The report also compiles cases of graffiti, property damage, protests, and expressions of hate speech on social media. Concluding its findings, the report states that "the totality of the incidents described in this report evidences a worrisome normalization of antisemitic discourses and behaviors that require a firm, coordinated response sustained over time."

Findings on antisemitism brought to Senate

The findings of the report were formally unveiled during an event at the Senate, which brought together political figures and community leaders to discuss both the past year's data and the evolving landscape into 2026.

Held with various senators and acting Israeli Ambassador Dana Erlich in attendance, the gathering featured opening remarks from Senate President Pedro Rollán, who committed to continuing the fight against antisemitism as one of the great evils afflicting society.

Taking the floor during the presentation, FCJE President David Obadía detailed a dangerous resurgence of antisemitism in Spain since October 7, 2023, and how Spanish Jews experience it day by day, while also calling on authorities for their support to denounce and legally prosecute antisemites. 

Speakers noted that this upward trajectory has continued into 2026, pointing to ongoing examples such as boycotts targeting individuals and institutions connected to Israel and hostile chants directed at Jews in television broadcasts and sports venues, as well as political statements such as recent remarks by Youth Minister Sira Rego expressing a desire for a "free Palestine from the river to the sea."

FCJE and the Spanish Observatory on Antisemitism told the Jerusalem Post that, alongside the presentation of the report, they highlighted three recent incidents that, in their view, underscore the seriousness of the current situation.

Firstly, the "Minister for Youth, Sira Rego, said: 'We are proud to be the country that stopped the Vuelta, proud to be the country that withdrew from Eurovision, the country whose artists are distancing themselves from a festival sponsored by a company with financial ties to Israel. Furthermore, Spanish society’s position is clear. For a free Palestine, from the river to the sea.'”

Secondly, the “organizers of Granada’s CULTUR-ALH International Festival of Art, Literature and Humanities withdrew Argentine writer Ariana Harwicz’s invitation just days before the festival began, following objections to her participation from pro-Palestinian groups over her public positions on Israel and her opposition to cultural boycotts of Israel.”

Thirdly, they noted that “German insurer Allianz withdrew its sponsorship of Madrid’s Festival of Ideas following threats by a number of participants to boycott the festival over the company’s financial ties to Israel.”

“Taken together, these recent incidents illustrate the complex and wide-ranging nature of antisemitism in Spain. The FCJE calls on public authorities to take appropriate action and on Spanish society as a whole to combat antisemitism, which undermines the foundations of a democratic and pluralistic society," FCJE said.