Spain toughens laws against anti- Semitism

NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes Spanish parliamentary action to strengthen punishment for anti-Semitic acts and rhetoric.

“Spain has taken a significant step in the fight against anti-Semitism, signaling with this reformed law that there will be zero tolerance for acts of hatred against Jews,” said Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC’s Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs. “Our concerns about rising anti-Semitism have been articulated, together with our partner, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, during meetings with Spain’s Justice Minister and other government officials in Madrid over the past several years.”

The revised penal code, adopted on March 31, will punish those convicted of inciting hatred, discrimination or violence against Jews, and those who deny or trivialize the crime of genocide. The code also applies to promotion of hatred towards others in Spain on the basis of gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

Anyone convicted could face imprisonment up to 15 years.

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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee.

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