Spanish-language online antisemitism surges after October 7

Spanish-language online antisemitism surges after October 7 and tops the charts on X

A Jerusalem Post study places Spanish speakers at the top of antisemitism on the social network X, with levels far exceeding those recorded before October 7, 2023. The figure, however, sparks a debate over how to interpret it: does it reflect genuine hatred or the way it is measured?

The report's data show that Spain and Latin America account for the largest volume of antisemitic messages in Spanish. Explanations vary. On the one hand, socioeconomic factors are cited: unemployment, low wages and an elite that uses scapegoats to distract the population. On the other, the study's methodology is criticized as potentially biased by X's algorithms, which amplify polarizing content in certain bubbles. "True antisemitism in countries like France or the United Kingdom is labeled as criticism of Israel or freedom of expression," the argument goes.

In addition, the authenticity of the discourse is questioned. The presence of bots, trolls paid for by states or political parties, and the use of artificial intelligence tools distort the real map of hatred. Colonel Baños, cited in the discussion, argues that intelligence services manipulate social media; others downplay the conspiracy and point to government-funded NGOs and political parties. What is certain is that the artificial noise makes it difficult to separate genuine antisemitism from political manipulation.

With these data, the question remains open: does the post-October 7 spike reflect a real increase in antisemitism in Spanish, or is it an artifact of digital surveillance and organized disinformation?