Existential anxiety and sabotage attempts: the survival struggle of Spain's Jews

The mass incursion into Ceuta exposed Madrid's helplessness against Morocco's extortion campaign, and Jewish community leaders explain how the collapse of national security translated into anti-Semitic incitement. Conversations with members of Israeli groups in Madrid reveal a complex picture: some report full security, others report an increase in anti-Semitic incidents, including sabotage attempts, although physical attacks remain rare.

The dramatic mass incursion of migrants into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa, sent shockwaves through Spain's political system and beyond, raising hard questions about national security, international relations, and the delicate situation of the local Jewish community. Conversations with members of Israeli groups in Madrid reveal a complex picture: while some report a full sense of security and open support from city and community leaders for Israel, others point to a troubling rise in anti-Semitic incidents, sometimes disguised as legitimate political criticism. Among the unusual events: sabotage attempts on Jewish institutions and offensive statements on social media. However, most physical attacks remain rare, and residents emphasize that daily life in Madrid continues as usual, separating citizens from policy disputes. The article quotes community leaders in an interview with Ma'ariv, and notes that the collapse of Spanish national security translated into anti-Semitic incitement.