A disturbing attack on an Israel supporter unfolded in Spain as far-left activists hurled red paint at journalist and author Pilar Rahola during her lecture marking the start of the academic year.
The incident occurred while Rahola was speaking at Marti i Loma University in La Garriga, a Barcelona suburb. "You're stained with blood - this is what happens to supporters of genocide in Palestine," the assailants shouted before fleeing the hall. Before the event, they had protested outside, waving Palestinian flags and a large banner reading: "We'll destroy the Zionist state of Israel" and "Zionism is fascism."
Video: Footage of a far-left group's attack on journalist Pilar Rahola. Credit: Social media
Rahola, a former Catalan politician, stood her ground, pausing her lecture only to wipe off the red paint and change her shirt. She responded defiantly, saying, "They won't silence me. I won't hide, and I won't fear them. I'm a free citizen in a free country - and fascists, whether right-wing or left-wing, will never stop me from exercising my freedom. This is what you, the attackers, are afraid of." she added. "You're afraid of freedom."
Barcelona's Jewish community swiftly condemned the attack. "Some seek lies and hatred, while others seek truth and blessing," their statement read. "Some invest in terror and destruction, while others invest in building, life, and progress. Amidst the darkness, there's much light, and today we face a clear choice: to be light or darkness. Clearly, there's no place in universities for those who destroy and attack. Thank you, Pilar."
No me callarán. No me esconderé. No les tendré miedo. Soy una ciudadana libre en un país libre. Nunca el fascismo, ni de derechas, ni de izquierdas impedirá que ejerza mi libertad.
De eso tenéis miedo, vosotros, los agresores. Tenéis miedo de la libertad.— 🟦 Pilar Rahola (@RaholaOficial) October 8, 2024
The assault on Rahola reflects the hostile, anti-Israel climate in Spain, partly fueled by the government. On Oct. 7, several leading Spanish newspapers published articles criticizing the Israeli government, some in harsh terms. While Madrid's Foreign Ministry issued a statement honoring those killed in the Hamas massacre, many far-left politicians used the occasion to criticize Israel.
For instance, a Podemos member of the European Parliament protested in the European Parliament against its support for "terrorist Israel committing genocide." On Oct. 8, she posted, "A year ago, a new phase in the Palestinian genocide by the terrorist state of Israel began." Recently, Yolanda Diaz, Spain's former Deputy Prime Minister from the far-left Sumar party, shared an anti-Israel video, concluding with the infamous saying, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
The atmosphere in Barcelona around the Oct. 7 massacre anniversary was equally tense. "The anniversary again triggered an anti-Israel and antisemitic wave in Barcelona," says Shai Deutsch, Community Development Manager at Israeli Community Europe (ICE). "On October 6, pro-Hamas rallies were held in the city, which was plastered with anti-Israel and anti-Jewish graffiti and posters. As they've done all year, the Israeli community acted swiftly, covering the city overnight with posters about the hostages and information about the massacre's anniversary. We also organized a major memorial event to ensure Barcelona remembers the events of October 7 and the past year."
