Since October 7, Barcelona has become a focal point for a surge in antisemitism that has unsettled Jewish communities and drawn international attention. Official decisions by local and national authorities, such as declaring 'Palestine' a symbolic district and funding organizations linked to extremist actors, have blurred the line between political advocacy and hostility toward Jews. Public events and university initiatives have further entrenched this climate, while acts of vandalism, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, have heightened fears among Jewish residents.

Economic and cultural measures, such as bank account freezes and Spain's withdrawal from Eurovision, have compounded the sense of exclusion. The publication of a map identifying Jewish-owned businesses evokes troubling historical precedents, signaling a shift from rhetoric to tangible stigmatization. Internationally, Spain's new sanctions against Israel have prompted concern in Washington, with lawmakers questioning the impact on American companies and bilateral relations.

Jewish institutions are now urging the suspension of academic exchanges with Barcelona, reflecting a profound rupture in trust and safety. The situation underscores the dangers of conflating legitimate criticism of state policy with actions that marginalize an entire community, raising urgent questions about the responsibilities of democratic societies in polarized times.