A bookstore in Sant Cugat del Vallès, near Barcelona, was vandalised on Tuesday with antisemitic and anti-Israel graffiti, prompting condemnation from Jewish organisations and local authorities. The independent shop, Pati De Llibres, was targeted with slogans accusing it of being an „accomplice to genocide”, alongside the words „Zionazi” and „Zionist”. A Palestinian flag was also spray-painted on the facade and windows, with arrows pointing to the store, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The phrase „Accomplice to genocide” directly referenced Israel’s military response in Gaza, echoing broader antisemitic campaigns that seek to associate ordinary businesses or cultural institutions with alleged Israeli war crimes.
Mont Soler, the owner of the bookstore, condemned the attack as „offensive” and antithetical to the values of openness and dialogue that his business represents. Posting on social media, Soler wrote: „Pati de Llibres is not a space for political confrontation. It is and will continue to be a cultural and community meeting place, where everyone is welcome.”
He emphasised his lifelong commitment to inclusivity and support for all people in need, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or gender.
The Jewish Community of Barcelona compared the graffiti to that which marked Jewish-owned businesses in Nazi Germany, stating: „We already know where the path of symbols and words painted on walls leads. Hate is never innocent. Hate always seeks to sow fear.”
The European Jewish Congress (EJC) also expressed outrage, describing the vandalism as an attack on the fundamental values of dialogue, mutual respect, and freedom of expression that underpin democratic societies. In a statement on X, the EJC expressed gratitude for the local municipality’s prompt response in removing the graffiti.
Despite the shock, the bookstore issued a statement on Wednesday thanking the community for its support and reaffirming its mission: „We will now focus on instilling the community with the love of reading, stories, and new ideas.”
This incident forms part of a broader trend of rising antisemitism in Spain and across Europe, where anti-Israel sentiment is increasingly expressed through attacks on Jewish institutions, individuals, and businesses—even those with no direct political affiliation.
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