Police in Madrid have stepped up their presence outside synagogues and other centres of Jewish life, seeking to protect the estimated 12,000-15,000 Jews living in the capital, after an increase in antisemitism across Spain.

A synagogue in Barcelona cancelled weeks of upcoming events. “We’re scared, particularly for our sons and daughters,” a Jewish resident of Barcelona told El Periodico. “Antisemitism is in the air.”

Maxo Benalal, secretary general of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain (FCJE), said the rise in antisemitism across Spain was “truly terrifying”.

“Free Palestine” was sprayed across a mediaeval Jewish neighbourhood in Catalonia.

Puerta del sol terraza de chicote 2 Agustín Martínez © Madrid Destino

Supporters of Israel demonstrate on Sant Jaume square in Barcelona (Photo: Getty)

Pro-Palestinian protests took place in Madrid, Barcelona and Pamplona. In Madrid, 10,000 people took part, with leaders of left-wing parties Podemos and Más in attendance.

They demanded the Spanish government “stop showing complicity” with Israel.
Spain confirmed the murder by Hamas of Maya Villalobi Sinvany, a 19-year-old Spanish-Israeli citizen.

Spanish-Israeli citizens have vowed to return home to enlist in the army, after seeing the “barbaric attacks” in Israel.