A report published Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League has documented what it calls "greater acceptance of virulent anti-Jewish attitudes" in Spain, despite relatively low levels of actual violence directed against Jews.

The report cited "viciously anti-Semitic" cartoons which have appeared in several major newspapers, alongside editorials comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, which is defined by even the European Union media watchdog as anti-Semitic. The report also noted recent polls which have found large numbers of Spaniards who believe in various anti-Jewish conspiracy theories and the "all too common" incidence of Israeli flag burning at protests.

ADL National Director Abe Foxman said in the report that the organization was "deeply concerned about the mainstreaming of anti-Semitism in Spain, with more public expressions and greater public acceptance of classic stereotypes." Meanwhile, the Spanish Housing Authority has disqualified Ariel University Center, located in the largest Jewish settlement in Samaria, from an academic competition in Solar energy research, citing "European Union political guidelines" which say that the university is "located in occupied territories." The team from Ariel University has worked for two years on the project and reached the final round of competition but the decision effectively ends their bid. The competition is sponsored by the US Department of Energy.

Fuente: ICEJ News