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Spain’s largest newspaper, El País, sparked backlash on Tuesday after suggesting a judge’s impartiality existed “despite” his Jewish identity.
The controversy centers on coverage of Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the trial of now-former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested and flown to New York City last weekend to face federal narco-terrorism, drug-trafficking, and weapons charges.
Language That Sparked Condemnation
In its original text, El País praised Hellerstein’s long judicial career. It then claimed he maintained impartiality “despite being a prominent member of the Jewish community.”
The phrasing triggered immediate backlash. Observers argued it implied that Jewish identity undermines neutrality. That idea reflects a well-worn antisemitic trope.
Following public criticism, the newspaper edited the article. The revised English version removed the reference to Judaism. It instead highlighted Hellerstein’s reputation for fairness and his view that rulings should not hinge on a judge’s religion.
Jewish Leaders Respond Forcefully
Public figures and Jewish organizations condemned the original wording. “What disgusting antisemitism we have to put up with from El País,” said Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israel’s special envoy for trade and innovation and former deputy mayor of Jerusalem.
Que asco de antisemitismo que hay que aguantar del @ElPaisRx pic.twitter.com/Y00bf0az6s
— פלר חסן נחום Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (@FleurHassanN) January 6, 2026
The European Jewish Congress (EJC) said, “Jewish identity is not a conflict of interest. Such language reinforces bias and has real consequences for how Jews are perceived in public life. Media have a responsibility to avoid words that legitimize prejudice and to correct them when they do.”
In Spain’s @elpais_espana, a journalist wrote that a judge is impartial “despite being Jewish.”
Jewish identity is not a conflict of interest.
Such language reinforces bias and has real consequences for how Jews are perceived in public life.
Media have a responsibility to… pic.twitter.com/UBC5WAF5iS
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) January 6, 2026
Faith Is Not a Footnote to Fairness
Judge Hellerstein, 92, is an Orthodox Jewish American jurist. Then-U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed him to the federal bench nearly three decades ago. He began his legal career as a clerk in the same court where he now presides.
The episode highlights a deeper problem. When coverage frames a judge’s religion as something to overcome, it casts Jewish identity as suspect. That framing carries real consequences.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
