Full Breakdown
Rising Antisemitism in Spain and Beyond: Recent Incidents and Responses
2/16/2026, 10:42:41 PM
Expulsion of Jewish Women from Reina Sofía Museum
On a recent Sunday, three elderly Israeli-Jewish women, including a Holocaust survivor, were expelled from the Reina Sofía National Museum of Art in Madrid. The women were verbally harassed by other visitors who shouted accusations such as “Genocide!” and “Child killers.” Instead of addressing the harassment, museum staff asked the women to leave, prompting a Spanish woman accompanying them to argue that their presence was lawful under Spanish law. The incident has drawn criticism from various organizations, including ACOM, which highlighted the troubling climate for Jews in Spain, suggesting that the museum's actions reflect a broader governmental agenda against Israel.
Official Responses and Criticism
The European Jewish Congress condemned the museum's decision to remove the victims rather than the aggressors, calling it “deeply troubling and unacceptable.” They emphasized that Jewish identity should not be a basis for exclusion in public institutions. Dana Erlich, the Israeli Embassy's Head of Mission in Spain, criticized the perception of the Israeli flag as provocative, contrasting it with the acceptance of other flags in the museum. The Reina Sofía Museum has faced scrutiny for hosting events perceived as anti-Israel, including a seminar titled “Gaza and aestheticicide,” which has been criticized for its loaded language and historical biases.
Broader Context of Antisemitism in Spain
This incident is part of a growing trend of antisemitism in Spain, where public spaces have increasingly become sites of hostility towards Jewish individuals. Angél Mas, president of ACOM, noted that such incidents are becoming more frequent and that legal actions are being pursued against these occurrences. The museum's history of displaying the Palestinian flag has also been cited as part of a pattern of discrimination against Jewish symbols.
Rising Antisemitism in France
In a related context, the French Interior Ministry reported that over half of the anti-religious acts in France in 2025 were directed at Jews, with 1,320 antisemitic acts recorded. Although this represents a 16% decrease from the previous year, the overall level remains historically high. The ministry noted that these incidents have surged since the October 7, 2023, attacks, with a significant portion of antisemitic acts being verbal or online hate.
Legislative Responses in France
In response to rising antisemitism, France is set to pass a new law aimed at combating modern forms of antisemitism. This legislation will expand existing laws to include implicit praise of antisemitism and criminalize downplaying or trivializing terrorism. Aurore Berge, France’s minister for gender equality and the fight against discrimination, expressed hope that other countries would follow France's lead in addressing these issues.
Conflicting Reports on Antisemitism in Professional Organizations
In the United States, the American Psychological Association (APA) faces scrutiny over its handling of antisemitism within its ranks. The Coalition of National Racial and Ethnic Psychological Associations (CONREPA) opposed the recognition of the Association of Jewish Psychologists, arguing that most Jews identify as white and are not underrepresented in the APA. This stance has drawn criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, which argues that it misrepresents the complexities of Jewish identity and the discrimination faced by Jewish professionals.
Conclusion
The incidents in Spain and France, alongside the ongoing debates within professional organizations in the U.S., highlight a concerning trend of rising antisemitism and the challenges faced by Jewish communities across different contexts. As public institutions and organizations grapple with these issues, the need for clear policies and protections against antisemitism remains critical.
