WJC welcomes landmark agreement to combat anti-Semitism reached between Spanish government and Jewish community

NEW YORK - The World Jewish Congress on Thursday welcomed a landmark agreement reached between Spain’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain (FCJE), aimed at combating anti-Semitism through education. FCJE is the representative body of the Spanish Jewish community and WJC’s affiliate in the country. 
 
“I applaud this important step taken by the Spanish government to ensure that the next generation has access to factual information about both the darkest moments in human history, as well as the important contribution the Jewish people have made to Spain over the centuries,” said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder. “With anti-Semitism on the rise across Europe, and far-right movements and even neo-Nazi parties gaining strength, educational measures such as these are more critical than ever and worthy of emulation.”
 
The Agreement for the Eradication of Anti-Semitism will be implemented by the National Center for Innovation and Educational Research (CNIE) – a body which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and focuses primarily on the training of primary and secondary school teachers.  Educators will be trained in key subject areas including how to teach the Holocaust, the promotion of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Spanish Jews, and combating anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance. Training will also help teaching staff to better understand the importance of the relationship with Israel for the diaspora and current issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
 
The President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, Isaac Querub, said: "Thanks to this agreement, Spain is today a global example of commitment in the fight against anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, bias or religious bigotry. We, the Spanish Jews, are deeply grateful and proud of the courage of the government to take, particularly nowadays, such a brave and necessary step."