Overview
- Video published by Spanish outlet Okdiario shows security escorting three elderly Jewish visitors, including a Holocaust survivor, out of Madrid’s Reina Sofía after others shouted insults over a Star of David necklace and a small Israeli flag.
- A guard told the women to hide their Jewish symbols and said some patrons were bothered, despite a visitor noting Spanish law allows religious symbols and national flags in public institutions.
- Following outcry, the museum said it has asked its security department to investigate and issued a statement affirming equality, religious freedom, and staff training against discrimination.
- The European Jewish Congress condemned the removal of the victims, and Israeli diplomat Dana Erlich said the Israeli flag is a legitimate national symbol and urged unequivocal opposition to antisemitism.
- Spanish pro-Israel group ACOM announced plans to sue the museum and director Manuel Segade, citing alleged discrimination by a publicly funded institution and pointing to earlier controversies over programming related to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.