{
  "id": 1519688,
  "title": "'Feared for my life': French Jew recalls antisemitic attacks in Barcelona when leaving synagogue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/feared-for-my-life-french-jew-recalls-antisemitic-attacks-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T17:04:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-905801"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On July 3, seven French Jewish tourists were subjected to 40 minutes of vicious antisemitic abuse in Barcelona while leaving a synagogue, an incident that left them fearing for their lives, according to a recent interview with CNEWS. The attack, which began when a woman in pro-Palestinian attire started shouting \"Free Palestine\" and clapping rhythmically, quickly escalated into a mob surrounding the group.\n\nThe group of seven, including 41-year-old Jimmy Zaghroun, was encircled by hundreds of people who hurled antisemitic and anti-Israel slurs at them, including \"Baby killers,\" \"Jews are not wanted here,\" \"Zionists are not wanted here,\" and \"Death to Israel.\" Zaghroun recounted the terrifying atmosphere, stating that for 40 minutes, they were humiliated and spat upon, with some individuals even threatening to kill Jews.\n\nDespite the group's attempts to clarify their nationality, the assailants remained unfazed, showing no regard for the fact that they were French rather than Israeli. The incident was particularly traumatic for Zaghroun, as one member of the group, a Chabad Jew dressed in traditional Jewish clothing, stood out as a visible target.\n\nIn a desperate effort to escape the mob, the group eventually scattered, eventually making it to their hotel, where the mob chased them to the building's entrance. Zaghroun emphasized that the attack was motivated solely by their Jewish identity, noting that the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain has highlighted the severity of such incidents in Barcelona. The incident is currently being investigated by Spanish authorities.",
  "summary": "\"For 40 minutes, hundreds of people humiliated us and spat on us. There was a huge crowd around us. We feared we would be murdered,\" Jimmy Zaghroun, a 41-year-old French Jew from Paris, said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Seven French Jewish tourists attacked in Barcelona synagogue",
    "Mob shouted antisemitic slurs for 40 minutes",
    "Attack motivated by victims' Jewish identity"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}