Arial view of Gibraltar. Photo: Wikipedia

JNS.org –The Duke of Medina Sidonia, Alonso González de Gregorio y Álvarez de Toledo, has formally apologized to the president of the Jewish community of Gibraltar for atrocities committed during the expulsion of the Jewish community from Spain in the 15th century, and the subsequent expulsion of Jews from Gibraltar.

The second Duke of Medina Sidonia, Enrique Perez de Guzman y Fonseca, had expelled Jews from Gibraltar in 1476 after they had escaped there from Spain.

“Today I apologize before the Jewish Community in Gibraltar, who are moral and genetic heirs of the converted Andalucians, who in 1474 fled the cruel, uncontrollable genocide in Andalucia and resorted to take refuge in this city,” the duke read from a written statement, Israel National News reported.

Gibraltar is currently a sovereign of Great Britain, which had captured the area from Spain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession.