At a meeting held in November, David Lévy-Bentolila, president of B’nai Brith Europe (BBE) discussed with Foreign Minister Moratinos various Jewish issues, among them inclusion of the Holocaust in history courses taught in Spanish schools, and the Spanish media’s treatment of Israel and the Jews, with Lévy-Bentolila accusing the Spanish press of misuse of freedom of expression to an extent not found in other countries. Regarding antisemitism on TV and cable, Moratinos noted that the Spanish government had been approached but had refused to broadcast al-Manar (the Hizballah channel) programs. The foreign minister promised to support a BBE plan for the formation of a European Authority of Broadcasting Content. As for the OSCE conference on antisemitism, which the minister seeks to host in Córdoba, Lévy-Bentolila pointed out that the success of such a conference depended heavily on the ability to keep it specifically focused on antisemitism, and on dispelling any risk of other issues blurring the subject. During meetings with government officials, representatives of the Jewish community asked the Spanish authorities for additional protection for its institutions, since traditional security measures were no longer considered adequate. They also requested an amendment of the 1992 Agreements of Cooperation so that Jewish and other religious minorities might also receive financial support. Official reaction has been positive, but any legal measures drafted have to pass several stages before ratification in the Spanish parliament. Legal Activity Fourteen members of the neo-Nazi Hammerskin-Espania were arrested in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Guadalajara in August. During their raids police found weapons and antisemitic material. They have been charged with 48 counts of illegal and violent activity. In May the Mossos d’Esquandra (regional police squad) broke up a neo-Nazi gang in Barcelona, resulting in the arrest of three for advocating genocide of the Jews. The Mossos confiscated books, magazines and weapons.

TAE: You’ve warned that anti-Semitism is returning to Europe. Ana PALACIO ,former Spanish foreign minister:" Anti-Semitism is a reality today, both in its classical form and in newer formats in which it has merged with anti-Americanism and anti-globalization. There have been attacks on Jewish cemeteries and synagogues in France and Spain. In 2002, the Star of David was displayed together with a swastika on the Web page of the Barcelona City Council. Also in Barcelona, a plaque in honor of Holocaust victims was vandalized. To raise money for a “human rights” program, the mayor of a small village in northern Spain sold T-shirts showing Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon as a dragon eating the corpses of Palestinian children, while President Bush smiled approvingly. Another T-shirt on sale shows the American flag as a roll of toilet paper with the words “use me” written underneath."

As Steven Plaut says: Those who claim that anti-Zionism is different and distinct from anti-Semitism are anti-Semites.

This article is devoid of any substance and is simply rife with childish namecalling. So the guy wore a scarf and said some things about the occupation that Israel doesn't agree with... Yeah, that's anti-semitism alright. This is the same sick propaganda that has twisted the words of Ahmenedjhad as well. Israel is waging a propaganda war and the more Palestinian propaganda it can dispose of (like the so-called "Hizbullah" satellite channel) the more of their propaganda will win people over. Spanish Jews should fear this man? I don't see him lobbing artillery into civilian areas, slaughtering children or putting up gas chambers. Get a grip!

Ignoring the usual multiple anti-everything-Israel comments above - and agreeing that anti-semitism is a serious problem in the EU - I still have to ask: where are the usual journalistic supporting facts?? This article claims a sudden steep rise in anti-semetism in Spain - but fails to mention a single incident to back it up. A stupid politician is not really news anywhere in the world - and certainly not proof of the article's allegations.

The Spaniards never got totally rid of the spirit of Torquemada, the Great Inquisisioner. Anti-Semitism becomes deeper and more virulent when blended with "socialism", ""multiculturalism", etc...What a cocktail..

2006-07-20 Who is afraid of keffiyeh? http://inplainview.monitor.us.tt/comm.ME06.htm

Now some Jews will know what American Muslims go through every time senators and US Presidents pledge allegiance to the flag of Israel.

I lived in Barcelona for a long time. I am jewish, and never faced and form of anti-semitism during my stay. I love Spain, it's culture, it's people and all it has to offer. You made a comment, "..does not mean that Spain is a racist or anti-Semitic country". This is true. However, you certainly are. "The United States of Israel"? Please. YOU are the reason articles like this are written. YOU are the reason jews and US citizens feel uncomfortanle to travel and explore other culutres. Spain is a beautiful country, and I have made many life-long friends there. It's unfortunate a "closet" anti-semite such as yourself must represent Spain in this forum. It is true, I do not believe Spain is an anti-semitic country. However David, you are an anti-semitic Spaniard.

The socialista lefties pick fights with the nice guys in their search for polical power. WHY? Because George Bush, Tony Blair or the Jews will not have them off'ed.( such as fed into a plastic shredder). Quite unmanly I must comment. The clearest reason yet to avoid them.

I can't believe someone can publish an article like this one in a supposed real newspaper. It's all lie after lie. Zapatero never said that Bush was a Dickhead or that Kerry was the Queen of Ketchup. One thing is to condemn what Israel is doing right now, and other thing is to be called an anti-semitism leader. What does it mean? that if you condemn the killings in Ruanda, then you are a racist?

The article is ridiculous. There is a proven lack of professionalism and clear attitude to harm not just the government of Spain but the citizens of a country that is one of the most important peacemaker in the middle east conflict. These tensions aim to increase tension in the conflict just the opposite that is needed.

Very inacurate information on this article. The sefarad community is safe and healthy just listen to radio sefard. The socialist gobernemnt presidided for the first time the institutional conmemoration of the holocaust. Moratinos, with the push of the PP that's true, extended the criticism to Hamas and Hizbola, quoting him "Hamas hasn't suceeded as a gobernment ..."

You almost had me there for a second... thinking YNet got it wrong. War crimes, heh?! Time for all of us to rethink the definition of 'political correctness' - then tell the Hague to find something better to do... and for once and for all, defend our borders from the bloodthirsty killers who promote their agenda via a childish and imature, leftist, 'politically correct' society, who don't know what it means to leave in a bomb shelter for a week. When Madrid and London suffered, like Israel, I said that the left will remain blind to the reality. Thanks for proving my point!

I read the answers from non-israelis and non-US people (mostly french and spanish) and I must conclude that the best illustration of the article's point is at the very bottom of the webpage. Some say that antisemitism is invented and nurtured by zionists, others say that "unlike in the US where you control the media", Spain is free and so on. Obviously the good'ol' stereotypes are alive and well and they prove, if needed that indeed antisemitism exists in Spain, including in the government.

Zapatero should remember that Franco wanted the Jews to return to Spain. After the Jews were thrown out in 1492, the country lost its poisition as one of Europe's leading countries. Things started to go badly wrong and finally Franco saw the light and decreed that Jews would be welcome once more. Spain is once again thriving.

David are you an Arab Muslim? If not, are you aware of the spread of violent, extreme Islam in the Arab communities of Europe? If not, then you best get ready for a surprise. The quality of life you are so proud of will become a distant memory as Spain's Arab Muslim communities become dominated by haters of free speech, democratic ideals and the over-all-joie de vivre that Spaniards enjoy. Sadly, the Madrid bombing is only the beginning. Shame on YOU for saying and believing such nasty things about a peaceful people who are simply defending themselves from terrorist invaders (and have been for centuries). Remember this - the day Hezbullah and, Hamas and their brothers-in-terrorism, lay down their guns, the fighting stops. The day the Israelis lay down their guns - it'll be another Holocaust. Perhaps that possibility makes you happy - if so, what a sad reflection on what has become of Spain and its people. I grant you that Israel is not without its share of blame - but remember this: it started NOTHING. Its responses may have been "disproportionate", "excessive" or in the case of 1980s Lebanon "downright wrong." But again, it has always acted upon prevocation alone. Leave it alone and peace will prevail, I assure you. It is not a people founded on the destruction of others, but rather love of all mankind. Peace to all...

If you believe that this is antisemetic you are really stupid. Stop confusing the meaning of words the more you repeat a word the more it loses is effect.

saying he "understands" the nazis qualifies as anti-semtism, not that he criticized israel. read the article!!!!

At the closing of the meeting he let the teenagers take pictures of him wearing a Palestinian kaffiyah. Are you kidding ? come on ! In my university, in France, many students have a kaffiah ! As an exchange student, i moved to south America (Chile) and guess what : again, my university seems Bir Zeit ! I´m pretty sure many students wear a keffiah without political meaning (and many too do support palestinian statehood) but they are not antisemitic !

Your article, a worthwhile one to be sure, read like an awkward translation into English. When a story is as newsworthy as this one, more care should be taken when translating to other languages.

Let me get this straight if you support the Palestinians or any Arabs you're anti-semitic and a Nazi. Why are the supports of Isreal stooping to name calling. Is it that they are defending the indefensible?

I am wondering how many people out there truly understand the root of antisemitism? This is something that has been in existance since Abraham, the first Jew. Hasn't everyone heard of Ishmael? the first son Abraham, the first of the Arabs? If not, here it is in short: God promised Abraham a son, Abraham didn't fully trust God and impregnated a servant-girl, who gave birth to a son, a rightful heir to Abraham, but not the way God intended, so God interceded and gave Ishmael a blessing which was that his seed (Arabs) would grow and prosper into nations, but he also foretold that his seed would be "wild" and "his hand would perpetually be against his brother". Ishmaels brother was the second son born to Abraham, the rightful heir, Isaac, who was a pure jew. This animosity between Jew and Arab has existed literally since Isaac was born, this is nothing new. The way I see it is the rest of us have 4 choices in this matter; 1. ignore both jew and arab issues (hard to do in this intense, close world) 2. choose the Arab side (not wise since God also foretells of heir utter destruction in the near future). 3 choose the Jewish side ( a better choice, but God also foretells that the jewish nation will undergo major calamity because they enter into a covenant for peace instead of trusting HIm. and finally 4. choose God (this has always been the best choice). Please note I did not create the information I just wrote, I do believe it so therefore I am reporting it

Fernando has a point, just not a valid one. He doesn't understand how killing Jews is anti-semitic, or endorsing killing Jews is anti-semitic. I don't think you are anti-semitic, because anti-semitism and ignorance aren't always one and the same.

What these talkbacks are saying to me is that anti-Semitism in all forms....anti-Zionism and anti-Judaism is still alive and well, and the ignorant and hating individuals from France, Canada, the US, and other places on here cannot get enough. When have you ever seen a leader of Spain or any country wear a Jewish Star?? Recent history tells us (more recently in Iran in fact) that the only times Governments or leaders want anyone to wear a Jewish symbol is to single them out for bigotry and bias. How many French Jews have left these past three years?? Ahem Mr. Paris, you are ill equipped to judge or comment on what is anti-Semitism. Ahem Mr. Leftist.....the LEFT historically have always been anti-Jewish and pro-anythingIslamic....and by the way everyone, last I heard, the Palestinians and other Arab countries do NOT want Jews in their midst, but the so-called racist Jews in Israel (i.e. Zionists) have an Arab community and no plan to relocate or evict them. OH....Mr. Michel (or was that Ms Michel?) of Canada, the Zionism is Racism General Assembly vote was rescinded in December 16, 1991, the General Assembly revoked Resolution 3379 with a vote of 111 to 25 (13 abstentions), and guess who the 25 abstentions were?? ahem...NO COMMENT NEEDED.

the writer needs to spend a little more time learning to write english. Horrible job

Has the world has gone mad? I read your article on Spainish Prime Mister Zapatero's comments. When I was boy General Franco formally revoked the Edict of Granada and personally attended the opening of the first synagog in Spain in 500 years -- he wore a silk top hat and a morning coat and tails. The old fascist aparently believed that the expusion of his Jewish paisanos and kinsmen was a great tragedy and historic mistake. His government issued visas to many Sephardic Jews during the darkest times. The old fascist fox was certainly no liberal, but he did know Spanish history. Until today I was under the impression that most Spaniards and Portuguese felt the expusion of Jews was a great and tragic mistake that cost both nations deeply and profoundly, that impoverished both those expelled and those who remained. However, the world must indeed be crazy if a Socialist Prime minister is spouting the words you attribute him. Fifty years after Spain officially recognized and began to make amends for the greatest injustice in its history, the stupid words of people like Zapatero are breathtaking and shameful.

As a Christian and an American. I find how the Europeans act towards Jewish people and Americans as repulsive. They view Americans as the greatest terrorsit threat to the world followed by Isreal. This is just crazy. Let Isreal do what it needs to do to protect itself and the USA do what it needs to do to make sure the world is stable. Unfortunately, the Europeans in general will not agree with Isreal's side or USA side until they start getting attacted by these terrorists. However, they will probably act cowardly as usual and blame America or Jews for the problem. Even in the USA the Liberals / Socialist / Democarats are more likely to be anti-semites and blame the USA for the world problems. A growing number of these people believe Isreal is the cause of the problems in the Mideast. Typical old time anti-semitism. My prayers are with you. Cal