A memorial mass in Madrid for Hitler, to have marked the 22nd anniversary of his death this weekend, was banned by the Archbishop of Madrid, it was reported here today from the Spanish capital. The Most Rev. Casimiro Morcilio issued the ban after a group reportedly associated with the Spanish Falange Party tried to arrange the service at a Madrid church.
The cancelled plan was seen as part of a minor revival recently of pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic sentiments in Spanish groups associated with the Falange, the only recognized political party in Spain. However, the Franco regime was known not to be in any way encouraging such sentiments. The regime has in fact been making special efforts to protect and encourage Jewish cultural and religious activities. A new Spanish postage stamp issued this week portrays the Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, who was born in Cordoba.
Two recent indications of anti-Semitism appeared in the weekly magazine SP, identified with the Falange, and Falange’s Madrid newspaper, Arriba. SP declared that "all these ideas about the evils of Nazism are pure Judaic propaganda." Arriba published a quotation from the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht between Britain and Spain, banning either ‘Jew or Moor" from living in Gibraltar. The quotation, involving Spain’s efforts to abrogate the treaty, referred to the fact that one of the Ministers of the Gibraltar Government is Jewish.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
