Spanish politician blames ‘Jews’ for how ‘their government’ treats Palestinians

'I haven’t spoken to all the Jews, but their government is elected and..constantly violates rights of Palestinians', Podemos councillor Sonia Vivas said

A Spanish politician said Jews should be held accountable for supporting a government “that constantly violates the fundamental rights of Palestinians.”

Sonia Vivas, a member of the Podemos party and a city councillor in Palma, the capital of the eastern island of Mallorca, made the remark on Wednesday during a meeting on international aid, triggering immediate accusations of antisemitism by a rival politician, El Mundo reported.

“I haven’t spoken to all the Jews, but their government is elected and they’re voting for a government that constantly violates fundamental rights of Palestinians,” Vivas said.

A journalist covering the meeting asked Vivas whether she meant to speak of Jews or Israelis. Vivas did not respond directly, saying: “You didn’t understand me because you don’t want to understand me. My explanation was clear and comprehensive.”

Fulgencio Coll, a city councilor for the far-right Vox party, said at the meeting that Vivas’ remarks “are part of a long history of antisemitism by the far-left” and its “obsession with Israel.”

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias Turrion, who hosts a talk show on an Iranian-funded television station, has called Israel “an illegal country.”

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which Spain adopted in July, includes holding Jews collectively responsible for Israeli actions.