A law to commemorate the victims of the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 (and expulsion of Jews in 1492) was submitted to the Knesset for approval, proposing to establish November 1 as the date of commemoration.
The law was submitted by MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh (Blue and White). Co-signatories include MK Tzvi Hauser (Derech Eretz), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu), Chairman of the Knesset Caucus for Renewing the Relations With the Descendants of the Jewish Communities in Spain and Portugal, MKs Amit Halevi and Michal Shir (Likud), MKs Michael Malchieli and Yosef Taieb (Shas), and MK Tehila Friedman (Blue and White).
Beyond recognition of the day, activities will be held by the Education Ministry to help teach Israelis and provide them with resources on the history of the Spanish Inquisition, the forcible conversion of Jews (conversos), the descendants of whom are called Anusim, and the expulsion from Spain and Portugal.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich will also promote a report on building greater ties with the Anusim, many of whom share a strong affinity with Israel, and provide recommendations as to their role in national and Jewish organisations.
