The new President of the Federation of Spanish Jewish Communities (FCJE), David Obadía, gave an interview to Radio Marca Málaga about the brutal rise of antisemitism in Spain and the important work the FCJE does to defend Jewish citizens during these challenging times.
“You have held many positions within the Jewish community before becoming the president of the Spanish Jewish community. What are your plans moving forward?
Yes, I have indeed held many positions before taking on the presidency of the FCJE. After many years of experience and with the support of all the previous presidents, it felt like the right time. My project is straightforward: work, work, and more work. I aim to foster dialogue, achieve as much consensus as possible, and continue on the path that has brought me success throughout my community and political life—namely, respect for others, coexistence, and interculturality. These are essential foundations for achieving world peace. I will work closely with my executive board, my presidential advisors, and the FCJE staff to advocate for the Spanish Jewish community and engage culturally, socially, and religiously with various communities. I will not forget our sister organisations, including Masorti, Reform, and Chabad Lubavitch. We all contribute value. Therefore, I am committed to seeking the common good and building a united and strong Jewish community.
Recently, there have been alarming reports about the rise of antisemitism. What are your thoughts on this issue?
I would argue that it is not just alarming; it is far worse than that. The wave of antisemitism we are experiencing is brutal. Today, a Jewish person in Spain does not feel safe or live peacefully in their own country. They cannot walk freely through their cities. The only way to avoid being spat on, insulted, or assaulted is to try to go unnoticed. Many of our children cannot attend school or university without fear. Our homes are being defaced with swastikas or marked with the word “Jews” to identify who lives there. Some kosher businesses are being vandalised, and synagogues—places of worship that deserve respect, just like any church or mosque—are under constant police surveillance for no good reason. Is it normal that one cannot live in peace in their own country, or that those responsible for ensuring our safety and freedom encourage radical groups from their political positions to send us “from the river to the sea”?
Some advocate for the creation of two states, Palestinian and Israeli, which I support as necessary, but this must be governed by leaders with whom we can negotiate reliably to seek lasting and trustworthy peace. Unfortunately, some promote the extermination of Israel and the Jewish people. We are approaching a time reminiscent of Nazi barbarism, when we walked the streets wearing armbands with yellow Stars of David. Honestly, this is what the most radical far-left factions desire from their positions in government, and it reflects what their supporters have voted for. I believe there are many good people in all political parties in my beloved Spain who, regardless of their political affiliations, show solidarity with the Jewish community and, in general, with Spanish Jews.
What would you ask of the Spanish people and politicians?
I urge them to take inspiration from cities like Torremolinos or Melilla, where we have always coexisted peacefully with many cultures. In addition to the three monotheistic religions, the Roma and Hindu communities are vital to this coexistence. Recently, we held a day of coexistence at the Congress Palace in Torremolinos with the solidarity association La Paz, which exemplifies the way forward: respect and coexistence beyond our religious beliefs. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with my friend Juan José Imbroda, the President of the autonomous city of Melilla. We discussed how Melilla has the only active Jewish community engaged in various sectors of the city. The President described Melilla as a city of peace that should be showcased to the world, and I completely agree.
What kind of relationships do you maintain with the various political groups?
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain is apolitical, and we are committed to engaging and dialoguing with all political parties, provided they are willing to engage in dialogue with us. In that context, I would ask for your political perspective as a businessman and Spaniard regarding the current government team. I can say that I have always respected the work of any government official, regardless of whether I agree with their party. I have met President Sánchez three times: once when he was the Secretary-General of the PSOE in Torremolinos, and twice in the Senate. I also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with whom I discussed the need for greater commitment to the Jewish community and requested some gestures from the government towards the Spanish Jewish community. I also asked them to convey our appreciation to Minister Marlaska for his significant support of all Jewish communities in Spain. Since October 7, when the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust occurred, the state security forces have been doing exemplary work to ensure our safety, and that deserves recognition.
That said, I always maintain what I used to say when I faced criticism or attacks from any political or community sector: only those who work make mistakes.”