‘A Meaningful Step Forward in Fight Against Antisemitism’: Alcobendas Becomes Latest Spanish City to Adopt IHRA Definition

The city of Alcobendas, a northern suburb of Madrid, became the third Spanish municipality to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism on Wednesday, in a move welcomed by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).

The adoption declaration — pledging Alcobendas would combat all forms of contemporary antisemitism, as outlined by the IHRA framework — was signed by Mayor Rocío García Alcántara and Jewish Community of Madrid President Estrella Bengio.

European Jewish Association (EJA) Public Affairs Manager Juan Caldés also participated in Wednesday’s official municipal ceremony, which coincided with European Day for the Victims of Hate Crimes.

“Respect. Inclusion. And coexistence. Alcobendas proudly embraces the values ​​of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance,” the mayor said.

🤝 CONVENIO PARA COMBATIR EL ANTISEMITISMO

👉🏼 Ayer el @Alcobendas_ayto honró el día europeo de las víctimas de los crímenes de odio.

✍🏻 Firmamos un convenio junta a la @cjm_es para prevenir y combatir el antisemitismo en todas sus formas. pic.twitter.com/K1GwlF0rhE

— Rocío García Alcántara (@RocioGAlcantara) July 23, 2026

Alcobendas was preceded in adopting the IHRA definition over the past month by the nearby cities of Torrelodones and Hoyo de Manzanares.

CAM Executive Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban praised the Alcobendas adoption as a “meaningful step forward in the fight against antisemitism in Spain.”

As of the end of 2025, the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism had been adopted or endorsed by 1,330 entities — including international, national, region, state, and local governing authorities, civic bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, athletic leagues and clubs, and corporations — worldwide, according to a data compiled by CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC).

Read more:

‘A Powerful and Encouraging Sign’: Hoyo de Manzanares Becomes Second Spanish City in Month to Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition

‘Hatred and Discrimination Have No Place in Torrelodones’: CAM Welcomes First Formal Adoption of IHRA Antisemitism Definition by Spanish City

European Mayors Unite in Paris to Confront Rising Antisemitism Across Continent

From Inquisition to Eurovision: Spain’s Long History of Antisemitism and the Politicization of Hate