Israel complains to Spain over anti-Semitism in schools

At the end of my previous talkback, I came to the conclusion that it was either ignorance or a conscience unwillingness to look at things as they are. Your response seems to indicate a blend of the two. There are around 12000 Jews in Spain today--mostly in Madrid and Barcelona. The presence of a large Jewish community is not a prerequisite for anti-semitism in a particular country. Anti-semitism exists in Poland today (even after almost all of the Jewish community there was murdered) and it most certainly exists in Spain, which is among the most anti-semitic countries in Europe (http://pewglobal.org/reports/pdf/262.pdf) (independent of any issue concerning Israel or its policies). This report shows Spain's intolerance toward Muslims as well and shows a lack of respect (not "over-respect") to minorities in your country. Criticism is one thing, but persistent, vicious slander depicting one group as a menace to society is a pretext for discrimination and violence against that group.

How about spreading grafic pictures to Spanish schools of the terrorist attack commited by arab moslims in Madrid?

"Rarely do we hear from them anything but apologies for Palestinian acts of thuggery and terrorism." No, we just have AIPAC and other such ilk such as Dershowitz and Krauthammer scream left and right that every single action Israel takes is just, despite the enormous civilian casualties and destroyed civilian infrastructure, which is illegal by international law. The far right wing influence in this country when it comes to anything related to Israel is extremely dangerous.

Nice of you to take the name of a communist mass murderer to make your point. No real rebuttal is necessary, just pity.

It is what is not said that shows the true color of the "I'm not anti-semite, just anti-Israel" crowd. Rarely do we hear from them anything but apologies for Palestinian acts of thuggery and terrorism. That's how we can read past the words and see your true colors.

any of you guys writing here is a sephardic jew or have sephardics ancestors? If so, since 1924 you can apply for a Spanish Kingdom Passport on any 'spaniard' consulate or embassy 'round the world and become a national and since 1985 an european. Yes, we give you an EU passport by FREE!! I know many jews who blame Spain don't know this benefit from us to them. Jews are welcome in Spain, they ruled ministeries, business, etc. In fact are better welcome that 'arab people' -perceived by media, people and Police like bloody fundametalists terrorists. Believe me: even spanishs catholics priests are talking in Sunday services over 'the muslim thread against spanish way of life'. So better don't blame us, we are not the enemy. Oh, by the way: look for statistics over Spain / Israel Grossen Product, freedom, media, peace, economy, risk, etc.: Spain is by far always much more better. An the King of Spain. John Charles the 1st, is also entitled as 'King of Jerusalem'

where the proof? how many letters, and coming from? or just a labeled envelope or one letter single photo? The israeli embassador at Madrid have NOTHING to probe his words! but blah blah reblah sure the Hamas leader killed at Dubai by Mossad operative didn't think jews are just the victims...

In the USA, kids believe in Santa Claus -they REALLY believe in him!- but is absurd to make a 'so on' and state: what nationals kids really believe it, so the adults yes also believes it! So, if kids believe in Santa, witches, gnomes, dwarfs, jews killers, etc. really adults give a dime for! this is a false flag

Yitzhak "to baptize Native American babies before dashing their heads on the rocks" ???? 1st school in America for indians was founded by spanishs early 1530, along with universities 150 years before Pilgrim Fathers arrived! Mexico has a native indian president, Benito Juárez, in the XIXth century who fougth against the french invaders. Today, Bolivia is ruled by indians, suhc as Evo Morales, or Peru by Pedro Toledo, etc. The Castro Brothers had spanish parents. Argentina? British Patagonian settlers committed the genocide, not the spanishs? California? The USA cavalry and european pioneers did it, not the spanishs!!

"SPANISH CHILDREN wrote personally to Mr. Ambassador just to tell him to stop killing babies for money." Where does the article say that ? Did I miss something ?

Muslims activists creates a very basic antisemitic atmosphere in spain for example in radio programm theyre is intervention of public by phone women crying about palestine specialy when the emission was not about this subject. Spanish people is like the sefardic a very basic people. I have warned israelies officials 5 years ago but they didnt take it seriously like most of israelies now its too late i fear.

Many people such as myself have no problems with jews as people, to generalise groups is ridiculous. They are no different from any other group of people. So i am no anti-semite. But what we do oppose is the actions of the israeli government, so we object to the way a "government" is being run, not the "people", how could that be wrong?

Anti-zionism, or anti-Israel does not mean antisemitic. Jews must not know the definition of anti-semitism. They charge everybody is anti-semitic. Jews have misused the term so badly it has lost its impact. Historically, after WWII, its meaning of prejudice against Jews was a stigma to be avoided. But some decades ago,in Europe, and quickly traveling to the US, the public began to realize Jews use the charge freely against anyone who criticizes Israel, whether or not their criticism has anything to do with Jews per se. People now realize the charge is not designed to describe one's interlocutor, it is designed to shut him up. It has become hackneyed. And people don't care any more. So, to contend, for example, that Europe is anti-semitic is a trite expression. Most of the world does not like Israel's decades-long violations of international law. You'd better hope they're not all antisemitic.

Spain is a mix of civilizations, we have the romans, and we have the muslims, both mixed with the population they gave us the better of theirselves. Muslims come in 711, after several invasions of Germanic barbarians, coming after the roman crash. Christians kick out muslims in 149x, so thats almost 800 years living with muslims and about 500 years living in "europe". That make us different (sometimes thats bad for us), but makes us like people living in the Midwest, very perspective and open to the world. MANY people here in Spain is pro-palestinian, because many young people are very near of left-wing political vision, very contaminated with anti-jew opinion. Our problem today is our bad education (worst by every day), but not all people here is anti-jew or propalestinian, BUT they make a lot of noise. I've a lot of respect for the people of Israel and their hard work living surrounded of enemies. I hope someday I can visit your country and learn more about these lan

Replace any other ethnic or racial or religious group name and it would never create the same reaction. Israelis need to stop acting like disenfranchised debutantes and the world will stop treating them as such.

No one in Spain (except the very minority of neonazis) can have a bad attitude toward Jews... because we have had no Jews for a really long time! We can have some stereotypes, good or bad, about Jews, but why should we not? The real problem is that Jews are too used to be "overrespected". I mean: it seems like you have the feeling that no one can talk about your community without being about to build a gas chamber. Man, I know your race has suffered a lot throughout History, and believe me I'm really, really sorry about it. Now think: which race, people, nation or whatever didn't suffer tragedy after tragedy during its history? It doesn't make you different: you-keep-on-being-persons. Sometimes you'll have to hear people saying bad and maybe unjustifiable commentaries about you, as I have to hear about the noisy Spaniards or the lazy Andalusians. I know that "being Jew" is the center of your reality, but believe me that the rest of the world doesn't pay so much attention to you.

People with glass houses should clean up their own mess. Stop trying to deflect.

Antisemitism and xenophobie exists in Spain in a terrible form since the fall of Al Anadalus. And the history of Al Andalus is not finished. In reality Al Andalus were jewish-arabic-berber etc. In all dynasties of Al Andalus were also the House of King David. One say today that all great jewish and arab etc. philosophers, medcins were related to the Sultans and Califs. History can be corrected but one have to fight angainst antirassism, xenophobie, antisemitism etc.. Wolfgang de Navarra et Cobert, House of King David, calife from the family Maimonides Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Hegel (Navarra) etc.

what he reads in the papers about nasty things about jews. I know and i agree with you! Again Thank you!

The same standard bearers of 'free speech' appear to be the same crowd that crows 'censorship' when the world takes umbrage at HAMAS 'Farfur the Mouse'. I wonder what grade they begin teaching blood libels to the children.

you cannot blame us for what happened 200 years ago. we were not alive then. but we are alive now, and we are trying to correct what is wrong in todays world. u cry anti-semitism because thats the only thing u know hw to do try and guilt others to get your way. well no more. we have had enough of your wars and crimes against humanity. if u want peace u certainly proven it. God bless everyone even those in isrl who r so selfish that they do not care about Gods words.

I'm Jewish and I lived in Spain for several years during the 90s. Nobody complained to me about Israel during that time, but I came to understand that many Spaniards have a deep hostility toward Jews: Jews are dirty, Jews control the world. Jews can't be trusted. These comments were made independently of socio-economic status. Look at your language: "marrano" (which originally referred to forced Jewish converts to Christianity), now means pig, filthy person, "judiada" which means dirty trick. These disgraceful definitions are sanctioned by the Spanish Royal Academy! As for referring to Jews as a race, I was told by this guy right after meeting him (as a kind of inverted complement): "Tu raza es muy inteligente" (i.e., Jews know how to make money). There are many great things about Spain, but the best I can say here is maybe your people are not inherently hateful, but deeply ignorant. Either you don't know your own country or you simply don't want to look.

It seems you haven't understand the main point. SPANISH CHILDREN wrote personally to Mr. Ambassador just to tell him to stop killing babies for money. This has nothing to do with politics. This is a social fenomena indicating Spaniards have not developed since middle age's Inquisition. Shame on schools, shame on parents!

There is many people in Spain (and around the world) who doesn't agree with Israel's foreign policies; I'm pretty sure that many people doesn't agree with the Spanish ones (which for sure are not so controversial). Please don't do once again the fallacy of mixing up "anti- semitism" with it all; Spanish people doesn't have the concept of Jews as a "race", I think you are the ones who are trying to take the discussions to those terms (no one could think that a thought is "anti- caucasian", those terms don't belong to the XXI Century's thinking). You are a part of the international community and therefore you will suffer the critics like everyone, it's absurd to play the victim -being one of the most powerful countries in the world and having those aggresive politics- due to the deplorable historical prosecution that you have suffered, because right now we're not talking about that.

Israel is always trying to show themselves as eternal victims to justify their Palestine occupation and several cruel acts that have taken place ever since (Shabra and Shatila, Gaza 2009). Palestinians themselves are however no little angels and partly deserve the situation they are living right now. I defend the right of the jewish people to have a state and defend themselves without killing innocents (Gaza 2009) but please leave the rest of the world alone with your eternal accusations of antisemitism ( dozens of letters? ridiculous!). That everlasting thing with the Inquisition is also ridiculous (15th century). If you both jews as and palestinians want to behave like animals for the forthcoming years it's your problem. But leave other civilised countries alone. It has taken us a long time and blood to be like we are now.

That's funny: Isabelle and Ferdinand must be celebrating in their special place in Hell. Their anti-Jewish racism lives on in the land of the Inquisition, the country that sent Conqistators to the Americas to baptize Native American babies before dashing their heads on the rocks. The country that committed a genocide on Native Americans from Califronia to Argentina. They are in no position to wag their bloodstained "moral" fingers at us." Therefore, you can do whatever you want. Killing, torture, plunder, etc.. And if someone dares to say "that's not fair" you have an easy solution: to say "that's anti-Semitism" and "your ancestors (those of any country) also did bad things." Fixed.

Once again we are treated to the surreal racism of those who consider themselves "progressives". Seems that their concept of racism does not include the most beastial anti-semitism. But then again the word progressive has been subject to the whims of many an idiot, who considers themselves free of racism and more self-righteous and humanist then their fellow human being. Many a contemptable being such as Chris is so mired in hate, than he is simply incapable of self-perception and continues in his bigotry anchored by his state of denial. If one is truly anti-racism, then this chatter from the Spanish youth should be criticized and not apologized for.

"Don`t you think is ok to have freedom of" You are mixing hating with freedom of speech. "building walls" There was no walls before 2002? Do you know, why Israeal had spend billion of $ to this wall? Do you know that between 2000 - 2002 every month Israel had sacrified 20 civilians in suicade bombings. After the wall today there is none. What do you think about this fact? Acording to you building a wall is quite wrong. "taking lands from people" Do you know that the taken land is %5-6 of whole WestBank? Do you know that the new setlings have been created on non habitant area, there was nobody before on this places. Do you know that the whole settlers population is 300000 when you compare to 4 WB million Arabs. Do you know that there is 2.5 million Arab now in Israel, and they are occupying 30 % of Israel. "a fairy tale book ?" Poor guy you don't even respect to my faith but you qualify yourself democratic. "Come on and wake up. " Learn some history then comment, ignorant. Aby

What is it anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic? That language is way gone when people would be treated of antisemitic for telling the truth. Now there are Ahmadinajad, Duke and the rest who will forcefully say the truth and not care about some Mossad reaction...

This is what hapens with ignorance. Have you asked why Spain EXPULSED jewish people? In Spain they could live until then because all over europe they were assasined. There is even a letter from Erasmus that said that spanish people are pigs because of living with jewish. The reason of the expulsion: Fernando and Isabel were cousins. The pope allowed their marriage to govern Castilla(even when the queen should have been the the Portugal king`s wife), so that he could forbid all the people who didn`t pay taxes to him. And as far as I know native americans are most in the spanish conquers. where are the native americans in northamerica?how many is there? Talking free is so easy.... P.S. I have to recognize that we are an ignorant people, so you are right that this was the last country to avoid the shame of inquisition.

Don't you think is ok to have freedom of speech? Don't you think Israel is behaving quite wrong building walls and taking lands from people based on a fairy tale book ? Come on and wake up. In Spain there are a lot of freedom and atheism and very few stupid beleivers in whatever prehistoric god.

Cleary you don't know what you're talking about, do you? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11_March_2004_Madrid_train_bombings

En España Israel es considerado un pueblo hermano. Ese hecho es anecdótico, aunque también es necesario que se investigue porque puede tratarse de una manipulación de algún grupo minoritario extremista.

#5 is correct. anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism both are euphemism for hating Jewish. anti-Semitism was invented by people at the turn of the 20th century who felt hating people because of their religion was out of fashion, but racism was acceptable. The term is meaningless and we should stop using it.

After the reconquista, Spain has been conquered again...this time without the use of any sword. This is clearly the deeds of muslims in Spain.

"Spanish Children using the political process to express an opinion." How can a children has political view and can exprees a poltical opinion? I doubt you have any child. If you had a child, you'll understand that childrens cannot have a political view rather express their role models view. This message is about hating. They are teaching to hate, instead of love. Hating makes a man fanatic blind, This is all about you. I don't think you love the Palies either. Aby

A better idea would be for Israel to take up the cause of the Basques for independence ,so how would the govt. in Madrid react ,what does Chris Linthwaite think?

But what about the Basques as they too have civil and political rights ,not so Rysk?

So why are Spanish schoolkids not learning about the Basque culture instead of the Palestinian one,another stupid Palestine comment?

Not with Muslim baksheesh easily available.

1 In Spain, any kind of political indoctrination or international politics teaching to 6 yr old childes is forbidden. 2 I will not justify the criminal behaviour of the Israeli government by admitting that "Jews kill for money" is a racist expression. 3 Organizing a massive sending of racist statements using "minors" is a criminal activity under the Spanish laws. 4 I can't found in the news when the ambassador denounced this crime to the police and the results. 5 The Ambassador (The Gov.) looks for opportunities of crying "ANtisemitism" insted of helping to solve the problem.

In the past quarter, Israel has seen economic excellent growth, about 4.4%, about half of it from exports. It looks like the BDS movement has backfired! On behalf of many Israelis, I would like to thank BSDers for their hard work in supporting the Israeli economy!

anti-Semitism for the next 2000 years to come

What these people are teaching these children is more or less what Hamas teaches it's children at their summer camps,but without the uniforms and weapons,I suppose it is only a question of time before this happens.

But, why most of the people here can't accept Israel isn't doing things right? Please, stop blaming the arabs and the rest of the world for EVERYTHING! This is so self-centred and immature!!!

But it is the first time in a while that I agree, after a long series of empty charges of anti-semitism. (Well-documented reports of raw sewage being spilled on Palestinian land are dismissed as "perpetuating the myth of Jews poisoning the wells", the Goldstone report etc.)

Do you have any idea how absurd you sound? You believe the Spaniards of 1492 are the same as today because some kids sent some postcards? The world would condemn the actions of the Spaniards from 1492 which you have described. Just like they condemn yours today. The difference. Theirs were in the Dark Ages!!!

Wonder what will be your response if Israeli school children will write such disgusting letters about the Palestinians? You are a good example of Humpty Dumpty. No matter how what disgusting and e-moral actions against Jewish people is being done you always find an excuse for it. you reek of hate and stupidity. Why don't you take your sorry excuse for whatever you are and grace an other site?

buldozing camps of EU citizens ,Romanian Gypsies and attacking dwellings of African workers ,because mafia controlling employment in South Italy has no longer use for them. Yes ,you need lessons from Israel

End the occupation of the Basque Country now and free all Euskeda freedom fighters! Spanish hypocrites.

wether it's bad or good, what those kids been tought is true. People need to know the truth of Israeli murders

which DOES make it anti-semitism. but is that what was really said in these letters, or did the letter's actual wording change as it was relayed between several persons? i distinctly remember a lesson about how rumors work when i was in gradeschool, in which something was whispered in the ear of a student on one end of the classroom, who then whispered it to the next, and so on, until it reached the student at the far end who then stood up and announced the "secret" to the class. it was completely unrecognizable to all except the last few students. in other words, the actual wording could have changed radically, having been relayed verbally from one person to the next only a few times. personally, i find it hard to believe that a parents(or even teachers), in spain would be setting their children up to receive the consternation and condemnation that would surely be the result of writing something as imflamatory as that which is quoted...when even many adults who actually harbor anti-semitic sentiments would balk at the thought. so personally, i'll reserve my judgement until something a bit more tangible is revealed...the most reliable of which would be a picture showing the postcards that are quoted.

Yes Walter, you have summarised the common sense and view of world population in general, it's absolutely right that everyone inclduing kids should have right to freedom of expression towards abuse of human rights as long as Israel prepetrates crimes against humanity. Israel always whines i.e. they will kill but nobody should tell anything, if anyone tells anything, that is anti-semitism. They are again whining to attack Iran and trying to drum up but this time they have their credibility at stake. World body would be much better and safer with Iranian nukes than attacking it and sustain the retaliatory reactions. One may not agree, who cares, Irans should have nukes at all cost, by the way.

99.9999999999% of people are anti-bully and not anti-semites. Get that through your thick skulls.

If this kids was Palestinians they would be arrested and tortured by the Mossad's criminal! But they are Spanish, a real democracy and the zions can do nothing besides the usual crybaby! And, must be said, children don't lie! Viva los niños de Espanha!

You make some good points. But WHY would children NOT be taught about HR violations in muslim countries? Is there a theory behind it? Or are you just stabbing at the dark...

To Chris L., Mario, etc.: If this were adults sending cards to the Israeli embassy, it'd be a legitimate form of protest. BUT it's very young children, and that makes a huge difference. It means that children are being indoctrinated, taught that Israel and the Jews are the baddies, from a very young age. That's a shame. As somebody else pointed out, odd that these children aren't being taught about the violations of human rights in Muslim countries. On the other hand, most Spaniards have a very 5-year-old view of the Israel/Palestine conflict so I'm not surprised they see fit to pass it on to children of that age.

... could consider having kindergarten kids write such stuff a lesson in political process. Any thinking person would consider it a form of child abuse. An attempt to create and burden the world with another Chris Lintwit.

One of the statements that were made is "Jews kill for money". Please explain how this isn't antisemitism.

This isn't anti-semitic at all Chris is it, merely young Spanish schoolchildren expressing their civil and political right...

in protesting the honor killings of muslim women, the spaying of acid on the faces of muslim women who want to get an education, the relentless suicide bombing campaigns that turn innocent muslims into burning pieces of flesh, or the wide-spread intolerance in the majority of muslim countries for other religions or creeds (try building a church in Saudi Arabia).

But Mario, commonsense HAS been completely wiped away.

...and those shells transformed into boomerangs.

Stop bullying ambassadors . Give Palestinians a land and some dignity , nobody will then harass you. Spain is a decent, welcoming country and does not need these lessons from you.

And the content of the letters clearly shows some historic elements that should concern any sensible human being.

For sure, it is a private initiative [I cannot imagine that kind of contents at an official program]. And, in that case, it shows the perception that, in Spain, many people [I guess most of the people] has about Israel's behaviour. Same old stupid minds will say that is antisemitism, or antizionism, or anti...whatever they want. But it is simply criticism of the barbaric behaviour of a country that claims to be civilized. If common sense has not been wiped away completely from Israel, somebody should be worried about this.

with Spanish Children using the political process to express an opinion. Rather than picking up a cudgel and beating someone over the head with it? This is a valuable lesson iin non violent direct action. You might not like the message that is being sent to the Israeli Embassy, but it is a valuable lesson in democracy. Remembering this is a country which has felt the wrath of islamic fundamentalism om 3/3 It is certainly not anti semitism to object to the policies of the Israeli government towards the Palestinian People. An important lesson for Spanish kids to learn, and absolutely nothing to apologise for. And I do remember Israeli children during Lebanon2 writing slogans on artillery shells to be fired into Lebanon. Which is worse?

Are these particular children of Arabic origin? perhaps attending Islamic kindergatens. I cannot understand any other reason why outside agencies from the education system should be allowed to have access to small children

But they did the same in Iraq and are still doing the same in Afganistan.

It is the responsibility of the Spanish Ministry of Education to investigate and fire the people responsible.

Anti-semitism exists clearly. It is very, very old, before Arabs were born in this world.

anti-Jewish racism. Until and unless we realize the true meaning behind the words used we shall not be in a position to fight this age-old social sickness.

hitler said gorget the adults and educate the children. has this started again in the world? hate of any kind is hate towards everyone. punish those responsible now and teach respect for everyone on earth.

where Ayalon's naughty chair diplomacy should have been utilized to show Spain that freedom of speech will not be tolerated by Israel. Another example where instead of answering the question. Israel attempts to shoot the messenger.

Israel should tell the EU, where anti semitism abounds, that they should put their anti semitic houses in order before pontificating to Israel on its' relations with the arabs and muslims. It is like hitler lecturing the jews on morality.

Isabelle and Ferdinand must be celebrating in their special place in Hell. Their anti-Jewish racism lives on in the land of the Inquisition, the country that sent Conqistators to the Americas to baptize Native American babies before dashing their heads on the rocks. The country that committed a genocide on Native Americans from Califronia to Argentina. They are in no position to wag their bloodstained "moral" fingers at us.