How Medieval Antisemitism Continues to Shape Modern Anti-Zionism in Spain

In recent years, Spain has witnessed a troubling revival of rhetoric that blends age-old antisemitic tropes with contemporary anti-Zionist discourse. These narratives often recycle medieval myths-such as accusations of ritual murder and conspiratorial control-that were once used to justify widespread persecution of Jewish communities during the Inquisition and beyond. Today, these sentiments are frequently masked as political criticism but carry the same underlying prejudices that have historically fueled discrimination and violence against Jews.

Key features of this resurgence include:

• The portrayal of Jewish influence as a manipulative force in global politics and economics.
• The conflation of Jewish identity with support for Israeli government policies.
• The use of traditional antisemitic symbols in protests and online spaces, often disguised as anti-Zionist imagery.

Recognizing the fusion of medieval antisemitism with contemporary political debates is critical for Spanish society to distinguish legitimate criticism of state policies from hate speech. Authorities and civil society alike are called upon to address these coded prejudices, ensuring historical lessons inform the protection of minority rights and maintain social cohesion in an increasingly polarized environment.

In contemporary Spain, a complex fusion unfolds where echoes of medieval antisemitism reverberate within the contours of modern anti-Zionist discourse. This intertwining manifests not only in rhetoric but also in cultural and political expressions, blurring the line between criticism of Israeli policy and age-old prejudices against Jewish communities. What distinguishes this phenomenon is its deeply rooted historical legacy, where centuries-old myths and stereotypes about Jews resurface, repackaged in the language of political opposition to Zionism.

Key characteristics defining this convergence include:

• Revival of negative tropes: Age-old accusations-such as disloyalty or conspiratorial control-are now embedded within critiques that ostensibly target Israel rather than Jewish people per se.
• Political mobilization: Left-wing and nationalist factions utilize anti-Zionist rhetoric to galvanize support, often overlooking the antisemitic undertones.
• Public demonstrations: Events framed as protests against Israeli policies sometimes serve as platforms for broad antisemitic symbolism and slogans.

In Spain, ancient prejudices have resurfaced under the guise of contemporary political discourse, creating a troubling synergy between medieval antisemitism and modern anti-Zionism. This convergence is not merely coincidental but reflects a broader trend where historical stereotypes are repurposed to challenge the legitimacy of the Jewish state. Rhetoric once confined to the margins now permeates mainstream debates, often disguised as criticism of Israeli policies but echoing age-old tropes of conspiracy and collective guilt. These narratives exploit Spain’s fraught historical memory, selectively invoking the legacy of the Inquisition while conflating Jewish identity with political ideology.

Key aspects of this fusion can be observed in several arenas:

• Political Rhetoric: Left-wing and nationalist parties alike adopt language that blurs anti-Zionism with antisemitic undertones, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate political critique from hate speech.
• Academic Circles: Certain scholarly works revisit medieval accusations in modern Zionist contexts, inadvertently legitimizing discriminatory attitudes under academic freedom.
• Public Demonstrations: Protests often feature iconography and slogans that harken back to historical antisemitic imagery, subtly reinforcing negative Jewish stereotypes.