What Is The Relationship Between Israel And Spain???

Question

I am a Spanish Jewess, and would like to know the relationship between Spain and Israel.

Itay lahad-- what is that supposed to mean?

Answer 1

Shalom!
I am also a Sephardic Jew and I live in Gran Canaria / Spain since a couple of years.
As it’s well known by history my ancestors were forced to leave Spain by 1492.
And well, my ancestors settled finally in Germany (which is another history).
I didn’t decide to settle back to Spain because of romantic ideas; it was a decision I made because of a brilliant job opportunity.
What can I say? I feel comfortable here and life is good, although the Jewish community is very small in the Canaries.
I would really prefer to live in Mallorca or Barcelona and I am sure that I will move in the next years, as the Canaries are so far away from Europe and I prefer to live in a cosmopolitan city and be part of a real existing Jewish community. (Although I am not traditional at all).
Here in the Canaries people only have a rough idea about Judaism and tend to mix it up with Islam. They call me "Moro", a word they use for all people coming from Morocco (and for Arabs in general, although even Arabs don’t have to do with morish culture).
Sometimes I feel annoyed and ask myself how could it be possible, that in the 21st century most of these people don’t know anything about different religions, history, etc.
But it’s just ignorance and curiosity; they don’t really want to offend me.
I think it’s because these islands are so far away from Europe and most people here don’t really bother about history and what’s going on in the world, as they think it’s got nothing to do with them.
It’s a world apart from everything - just like living inside of a bubble.
(So you love it during the first years and then you get terribly board and disappointed... )
As everybody knows, the actual Spanish government doesn’t have a very good relationship with Israel, they support the Palestine’s and whenever there is an opportunity they critic Israel...
But what can you expect from a government, which negotiates with ETA and frees terrorists from prison???
It’s a shame and I hope communications will go better in the future again, as in former years the Israeli - Spanish relationship has been much better.
During my assistance at the tourism fair in Tel Aviv this year I really learned, that many professionals are so disappointed with the government of Zapatero. (As myself, too, of course)
But I want to point out, that Spanish peoples opinions have nothing to do with actual politics, I travel around in all mainland Spain and people generally are very open minded and are in favour of Israel, despite of what politics are doing right now.
Don’t know if this helps you, but it’s my own experience, well, indeed it’s my life...

Answer 2

Israel and Spain did not establish diplomatic ties until 1986, when Spain recognized the State of Israel. Prior to recognition, the Spanish Jewish community, through cultural friendship associations, provided an unofficial linkage between the two countries.
Aliya- Since 1948, 1,412 Spanish Jews have immigrated to Israel.

Answer 3

Since Israel is 78% Jewish, it is statistically unlikely that a Jewess would marry a non-Jew though it has been known to happen. Many Jews will only marry other Jews in order to build a Jewish family, though that is a sentiment that decreases in frequency with the increasing secularization of Israeli Jews. Of those who have no qualms about marrying a non-Jew, nearly all would not be biased against any particular group.

Answer 4

It sounds to me that you are saying that you are a Sephardic Jew. If that is the case then in the diaspora your ancesters migrated to Spain wher they did very well for themselves in all levels of spanish life and culture. Most people of spanish orogin share the DNA of Jews, Arabs, and Visigoths that lived in or invaded the Iberian peninsula. The connection between Irael and Spain is historical and much more. I do not have the ability to present a concise version of the ramafications of collective history.
Shalom

Answer 5

Spain and Israel are not that close as friends. Not many Jews live in Spain.

Answer 6

Spain once had the largest community in the world

Answer 7

They hate sephardics like they hate Muslims, regardless of diplomatic claims and offers of passports., Spain still hates Jews....

Answer 8

Spain is an anti-Semitic country - especially among its public figures and government leaders.
This stems from the old Spanish inquisition-mindset PLUS its large radical Left PLUS fear of more attacks by Moslems.

Answer 9

http://www.amyisrael.co.il/europe/spain/index.htm
shalom

Answer 10

Just for my own curiosity, but how did your family end up living in Spain? If you don't care to respond, I completely understand.