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The northern town of Castrillo Mota de Judíos became the fourth Spanish municipality to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism on Thursday.
The move was supported and facilitated by the European Jewish Association (EJA), Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), Jewish Community of Madrid (CJM), and Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
The adoption declaration — committing Castrillo Mota de Judíos to prevent, identify, and fight all forms of contemporary antisemitism, as outlined by the IHRA framework, as well as promote education, remembrance, and knowledge of Jewish history — was signed by Mayor Lorenzo Rodríguez in a ceremony held at the Sephardic Memory Center.
CAM was represented at Thursday’s event by Executive Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban.
✍️🇪🇸 Très émue d’avoir pris part, au nom du @CombatASemitism, à la signature officialisant l’adoption par la municipalité de Castrillo Mota de Judíos de la définition de l’antisémitisme de l’IHRA, aux côtés du maire @LorenzoRguez, de la Fédération des communautés juives d’Espagne, de la Communauté juive de Madrid et de l’@EJAssociation.
Une décision particulièrement symbolique au regard de l’histoire de la ville : autrefois appelée Castrillo Matajudíos, « Castrillo Tue-les-Juifs », elle a choisi de retrouver le nom de Castrillo Mota de Judíos, « Castrillo, la colline des Juifs ».
Merci au maire Lorenzo Rodríguez pour sa détermination et son engagement dans la lutte contre l’antisémitisme.
— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) October 3, 2026
Established in 1035, the town first bore the name Castrillo Mota de Judíos, which historians translate as “Jews’ Hill Camp.” In 1627, amid the Spanish Inquisition, authorities changed it to Castrillo Matajudíos, or “Jew-Killer Camp.”
Nearly four centuries later, in 2014, residents voted in a public referendum to restore the town’s original name.
In a statement, the Town Council of Castrillo Mota de Judíos said the IHRA definition adoption marked “a further step in a journey that, over the past decade, has established the municipality nationally and internationally as a leading example in the recovery of Jewish memory and the fight against antisemitism.”
“Castrillo Mota de Judíos seeks to turn its history into a tool for the present — preserving heritage, educating through remembrance, and actively working against antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination,” it added. “In this way, a municipality small in population but with a unique history reaffirms its determination to ensure that the recovery of its Jewish past is not merely an exercise in remembrance, but also an enduring commitment to dignity, freedom, respect, and coexistence.”
Seban said, “Some places carry history in their very name. Castrillo Mota de Judíos has chosen to answer that history with a powerful commitment — adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and standing up for Jewish life.”
“This is more than a formal decision,” she added. “It is moral courage — and a reminder that remembrance must become action. The Combat Antisemitism Movement was proud to help make this possible alongside the European Jewish Association, Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, and Jewish Community of Madrid.”
“I salute Mayor Lorenzo Rodríguez for his leadership,” Seban concluded. “We were honored to recognize him in Paris in 2025 at the European Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism. Today, his town has taken another historic step.”
From “Matajudíos” to a stand against antisemitism: Castrillo Mota de Judíos adopts the IHRA definition. EJA’s fourth adoption this year, with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain playing a central role alongside EJA and CAM.
A historic step for Jewish life.@ShannonSeban
— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) October 1, 2026
Other Spanish municipalities that preceded Castrillo Mota de Judíos in adopting the IHRA definition this year include Torrelodones, Hoyo de Manzanares, and Alcobendas.
As of the end of 2025, the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism had been adopted or endorsed by 1,334 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).
While in Spain last week, Seban also met with Torrelodones Mayor Almudena Negro, Fourth Vice-President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies Marta González Vázquez, and Madrid City Council Director General for International Relations José Francisco Herrera Antonaya.
Très heureuse d’avoir rencontré @almudenanegro, maire de Torrelodones, première ville d’Espagne à avoir adopté la définition de l’antisémitisme de l’IHRA. 🤝🇪🇸
Au @CombatASemitism, nous sommes fiers d’accompagner les maires et les élus locaux dans leur lutte contre l’antisémitisme et le racisme.
Merci chère Almudena pour votre accueil chaleureux et votre courage !
— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) October 1, 2026
Merci à @MartaGlezVzqz, 4ème vice-présidente du Congrès des députés espagnol 🤝🇪🇸, pour nos échanges francs sur le désastre de la politique menée par Pedro @sanchezcastejon, que ce soit sur le conflit israélo-palestinien et ses conséquences sur la hausse de l’antisémitisme en Espagne, mais aussi sur la crise migratoire majeure à Ceuta.
@CombatASemitism
— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) October 2, 2026
Read more:
European Mayors Unite in Paris to Confront Rising Antisemitism Across Continent
