We are at the Madrid airport waiting for our EL AL flight to Israel. We were warned not to come to Spain due to rampant antisemitism. In 4 days here I saw 1 Palestinian flag and 1 woman with a watermelon pin. Nothing compared to the public Israel/Jew hatred in Toronto.
Oct 12, 2026 · 5:51 AM UTC
I used to live in Madrid. People are, generally speaking, quite politically moderate
Biggest protest I saw was on International Women's Day. And it was majority professional women
But other parts of Spain, Catalunya and Andalucía in particular, are aggressively anti-Israel
Probably depends on where you are. Jews living in Spain tell me they have no problems either. Toronto is awful. Are you coming back or staying in Israel?
Most people see watermelon pins as symbols of freedom from the Israeli terrorists.
If you’re offended by a pin and a flag you must be really outraged by the Israelis slaughtering children and innocents.
Last we were in Madrid 2yrs ago, we watched the final day of the Vuelta, Spains major cycling race. There was a significant showing of the watermelon morons waving there faux flags at the finish trying to block the viewing of spectators. There was also a very significant police difference who intervened several tn̈imes to tell them to settle down. We were amazed at the number of North Africans lounging and begging in the streets as compared to our previous visit 5 years prior.
Sorry, but I have no idea what you're issue is with Toronto. I've never seen a problem in a major grocery store selling Israeli products and I work in one at Bathurst and St. Clair on the weekends. I've seen two people wearing pali-rags since 2023. I've seen more wearing magen david necklaces than that.
Now, I'll grant you that the media are awful and complicit in spreading Jew-hatred. The mayor is even worse. But, life on the street, as they say, seems normal and I live a block from Beth Tzedek and Holy Blossom synagogues.
