The edict of 1492 which expelled the Jews from Spain no longer exists since Spain is now governed by the Constitution of 1876 under which all laws anterior to 1800 are inoperative, the Duke of Alba and Berwick, foreign minister of Spain, who is now on a visit to England, said in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. His statement was in reply to a question as to how matter stand at present constitutionally and legally concerning the edict of 1492.
The position of the Jews now living in Spain is exactly the same as that of any other part of the population, according to whether they are Spanish citizens or foreign nationals, he stated. Jews can acquire citizenship in Spain in the same way as any other people. The Duke was very emphatic when he asked that the idea that the edict of 1492 still stood be smashed. He denied point blank the rumor that the Jews who are now living in Spain do so surreptitiously and that there is still a law in force under which Jews are not allowed to live in the country.
INQUISITION AND EXPULSION MISTAKES
After pointing out that in his opinion the Inquisition and the expulsion of of the Jews were mistakes he explained that the Spanish government has for many years maintained close cultural relations with the Sephardic Jews in different parts of the world where they have been living since the expulsion.
Turning to the oft-revived report of a large re-immigration of Spanish Jews to Spain he said that that depended largely upon economic and other considerations of a delicate nature, although he sees no prospect of any mass immigration of Jews to Spain. This problem, however is one which is now the subject of examination by the Spanish government, he declared. Nevertheless he wanted it understood that so far as there are economic openings in the country the Jews are welcome to come to Spain just like anyone else and are assured of the most liberal treatment in accordance with the laws of the country.
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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.
