Anti-Israel demonstrators release smoke in the colors of the Palestinian flag as they protest to condemn the Israeli forces’ interception of some of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel’s naval blockade, in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A Barcelona spa has apologized after two Jewish American women were denied entry to an LGBTQ sauna over their Star of David necklaces — the latest incident in an increasingly hostile climate targeting Jews and Israelis across Spain.

On Sunday, Sauna Thermas said it “deeply regret[s] and unequivocally condemn[s]” the incident, describing it as incompatible with its core values of inclusion and respect.

“We unequivocally reject any form of antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, or any conduct that violates the dignity of individuals,” the owners said, adding that they remain firmly committed to ensuring a space defined by respect, inclusion, and safety for all.

We deeply regret and unequivocally condemn the events that took place at our venue.
We wish to state with absolute clarity that we reject any form of antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, or conduct that undermines the dignity of any individual. pic.twitter.com/T4VcHJbAOX

— Sauna Thermas (@SaunaThermas) May 31, 2026

The apology followed mounting criticism from political figures and Jewish leaders after a social media video of the incident went viral online.

In the widely circulated footage, one of the women wearing a Star of David pendant is seen being questioned upon entry about whether she is a “Zionist person” before being denied access.

As the situation unfolds, staff members are heard saying, “We don’t condone genocide” and “Free Palestine, please leave,” as they escort the two women out of the premises.

An American Jewish woman living in Barcelona reached out to me, saying that she and her wife were denied entry last night to a thermal bath, reportedly because they are Jewish.

She documented the exchange on video and filed a report with the Mossos d’Esquadra afterwards.… pic.twitter.com/oSyHNAa2M5

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) May 30, 2026

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) expressed “absolute rejection and profound indignation” over what it called a “serious act of discrimination and hatred” following the incident last week.

“No Jewish person in Spain should feel compelled to conceal their identity, faith, or symbols out of fear of harassment, exclusion, or intimidation,” the statement read. “Acts of intolerance will not silence our community or diminish Jewish pride. Antisemitism must never be tolerated or normalized in any space in our country.”

Shortly after the incident drew widespread media attention, the Action and Communication on the Middle East (ACOM) group, a leading pro-Israel organization in Spain, announced it was initiating legal action against the spa on grounds of equal treatment and non-discrimination.

“This is not an isolated incident, but a clear and direct case of discrimination based on religion and antisemitism that seriously violates the fundamental rights of the Jewish community in Spain. In particular, Barcelona has become one of the most dangerous epicenters of antisemitic aggression in Europe,” ACOM wrote in a statement.

According to the organization, the legal proceedings will seek the immediate opening of sanctions against the establishment, revocation of its license if applicable, and the imposition of maximum administrative and criminal penalties, alongside a civil damages claim filed on behalf of the victims.

Like most countries across Europe and the broader Western world, Spain has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents over the last two years, in the wake of the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Still, Spain stands out as one of the most extreme cases, with experts warning that antisemitic violence and anti-Zionist rhetoric have moved beyond a social phenomenon to, in many instances, being state-promoted and legitimized as a political tool.

In particular, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and several members of his socialist party have come under mounting criticism from some of the country’s political and Jewish leaders, who accuse them of fueling antisemitic hostility.