Antisemitism in Spain: Swastika Sprayed on Maimonides Statue

A swastika was spray-painted on the base of the Maimonides statue in the Jewish quarter of Cordoba, Spain. The deputy mayor called it "an attack on heritage," and police opened an investigation. The statue, created by Amadeo Ruiz Olmos, was placed in the square in 1964 to mark 760 years since the death of Maimonides, who was born in the city in the 12th century.

A swastika was spray-painted on the base of the Maimonides statue in the Jewish quarter of the city of Cordoba, Spain. The graffiti was discovered yesterday (Saturday) morning. The Cordoba city council condemned the act, and the deputy mayor, Cintia Bustos, described it as "an attack on the city's heritage." The investigation was transferred from the local police to the national police, but no arrests or progress have been reported yet. The statue, made of bronze, was placed in the square in 1964 to mark 760 years since the death of Maimonides, a native of the city. The statue, created by Spanish sculptor Amadeo Ruiz Olmos, has since been considered one of the most recognizable symbols of Cordoba. Maimonides was born in Cordoba in the 12th century, but was forced to leave the city with his family at a young age due to persecution by the authorities. His family wandered to Morocco and then to the Land of Israel, until settling in the city of Fustat in Egypt, where he lived most of his life.