The Spanish Ambassador, Jose Pascual Marco, conveyed Spain's affection and appreciation towards the Jewish community, and our commitment to contribute to peace efforts in the Middle East. The Ambassador also stressed the Embassy's firm desire to work with British Jews to celebrate, support and protect their heritage and culture, which originates from the arrival, in the 17th century, of Sephardic families of Spanish-Portuguese origin.
The vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Adrian Cohen, expressed concern about the religious and anti-Semitic rhetoric that is damaging the coexistence in Western democracies, and asked that the Jewish community be heard.