Isaac Benzaquén, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, has been in Barcelona to address in situ the concern about what they consider an increase in anti-Semitism in Catalonia. A situation that is linked to the climate created by some political decisions, especially the rupture of the Barcelona-Tel Aviv twinning. He calls for dialogue with the institutions.
On 28-M there are municipal and regional elections. The mayoress of Barcelona, Ada Colau, decided last February to freeze the twinning between the cities of Barcelona and Tel Aviv. Do you see possible to redirect relationships?
In the federation the news caused us great sadness and alarm. The relations that have existed between Catalonia, Barcelona, Israel and Tel Aviv have been friendly, positive, intercultural. This break does not reflect the reality of what Barcelona is, a welcoming, open city. And Tel Aviv is a model city in terms of coexistence and freedom. We have sent the mayoress several letters expressing our point of view to redirect the situation and meet with her. They have answered us no - on Wednesday Khalid Ghali, commissioner of the City Council for Intercultural Dialogue made a first approach. In this sense we would like changes.
You warned that the decision to break relations impacts the Jewish community in Barcelona, where the majority are Barcelona citizens without an Israeli passport.
The decision has a great impact on the Jewish community in Catalonia because it creates moments of difficulty, attitudes contrary to the Jewish community that can resurface. We are citizens here, most of us do not have Israeli passports, with diverse opinions, we do not represent the Government or the State of Israel.
On April 17 there was a graffiti in the Maimonides Synagogue of the Israeli Community of Barcelona, which from the Jewish community was linked to Colau's decision. Yesterday there was another graffiti in favor of Palestine in the Chabad synagogue.
This is the question, it is what concerns us. I am in Barcelona to attend the Interreligious Coexistence and Dialogue Award that Dalia Levinsohn receives, and also because of our concern for the situation that the Jewish community is experiencing in the face of an increase in anti-Semitism. The characteristics of the graffiti "Free Palestine from the river to the sea" is a message that conveys that the Jews of Israel must be thrown into the sea. Graffiti also emerged accusing the Jews of having caused the covid, of having the power of money. These are situations that are taking place and concern us all.
The Parliament approved last June a motion in which the policy applied by Israel in Palestine with the vote of the PSC was considered an "apartheid crime". The Israeli embassy also expressed its discomfort. Meanwhile, the acaldable socialist, Jaume Collboni, does not support Colau
These situations occur, but Collboni must be thanked for all his support for the Jewish community when the twinning broke down because it was a very difficult time.
In these complex months, the Government's decision to stop the opening of a Generalitat delegation in Tel Aviv also generated controversy, a project promoted when Victòria Alsina (Junts) occupied the Ministry. Do they have a relationship with the Government?
There is no relationship. Barcelona is the city that receives the most visits from Israel. If you travel to Tel Aviv you will see many Barça shirts. This is the emotional part, but also at this time Israel can make great contributions in the technological, economic, agricultural fields... Opening a delegation would be positive for everyone because it would revert in favor of everyone and of Catalan society.
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, quickly expressed her willingness to strengthen relations with Israel.
Relations between the Jewish community and Madrid institutions, with the community and the City Council, are very positive, very close. Ayuso was the first to bet on studying the Jewish legacy in schools. It is true that the feeling of the Jewish community in Madrid has nothing to do with what is lived in Barcelona, due to the facts that we are commenting on. They are issues - the motion of the Parliament, the rupture of the twinning, the cancellation of the Government delegation, which in Madrid would not be raised.
Is the weight of Podemos -with a pro-Palestinian position- conditioning its relations with the Government of Spain?
We have a very good and fluid relationship with the Government and a very important step has recently been taken with the approval of the strategic plan to combat anti-Semitism and promote Jewish life. It is a mandatory strategy in the EU and Spain is one of the few countries that has this strategy approved
With a general perspective, are you concerned about the evolution of the political debate and polarization, the growth of extremist parties?
The anti-Zionism that is proclaimed today is a disguise for anti-Semitism. The objective of the radical groups of the far right and the far left is hatred of the Jew, of the State of Israel. We are concerned that it may become established in society.
One of the goals he set for himself when he took office as the Federation was to open up Jewish communities to society.
As we participate in the meeting, we realize the great ignorance that exists of the Jewish people, of their traditions. It's partly our fault because we haven't been able to explain ourselves. Many stereotypes start from this ignorance. Jewish communities must be integrated into the society they are in, in the cities.
