It was late in the evening in Barcelona, along Avenir Street where the Israel Community of Barcelona (CIB) is based. On a Tuesday, two city police vehicles stood at one corner and a Mossos d’Esquadra van watched from the opposite end. Every person who crossed the police perimeter faced a uniform question: where are you headed? After passing the first checkpoint, attendees moved toward a second screening near the synagogue gates, where officials inquired about possession of weapons or any items that might require scrutiny. The precautions were strict, yet attendees at the gathering affirmed that the measures were adequate.nn”There is fear in the air, especially for the younger generations”, remarked Sara Hasson to EL PERIÓDICO DE CATALUNYA, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, reflecting on the latest ceremony.n
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There was a tangible tension and expectancy among those on the street. The presence of security offered some reassurance, yet the participants knew they would eventually have to return to daily life — to work, to school, to study — often alone. Past incidents in other countries, where tensions escalated into violence, were recalled by Ariel as a warning against complacency. He attended the ceremony with his daughter Melanie, who has just begun university. Expressing concern for her safety, she urged vigilance in classrooms and hallways, while also stressing that normalcy mattered. Many participants wore stickers declaring not to be afraid and displayed Israeli flags on jackets or shirts, perhaps as a form of quiet solidarity.n
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Security at CIB and affiliated sites like the Hatikva school was visibly heightened for the weeks ahead. The morning’s events underscored a broader sense of insecurity; several attendees declined to speak with press accreditation, both to avoid attention and out of concern for privacy. A young woman, who asked to remain unnamed, described a sense of anger and fatigue when she saw online content that appeared to normalize violence. She noted that many knew someone affected by the conflict, be it by loss or absence. Moisés, who leads the Ismael Isaac Peace Foundation in Barcelona, spoke of his ongoing work with his nephew in an unspecified location, underscoring the personal toll of the events.n
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“Helpless Situation”
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One speaker reflected on a veteran who, though on holiday, found himself in a distressing situation during the incident, noting the shock of doors being breached and participants being taken. The gathering paused for a moment of silence to honor those who had died and those who were missing, with prayers subsequently recited.n
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In a keynote address, the Israeli community’s leadership spoke about a long history of perseverance and the struggle for safety and self-determination. The president of CIB urged steady political action while asserting the right to walk the streets of Barcelona with resolve, even in the face of fear. He called for continued support from authorities and the international community, recalling the solidarity shown by Tel Aviv after prior attacks in Barcelona. The speaker emphasized a commitment to stand with the Israeli people while hoping for a peaceful resolution to the hostilities.n
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Another voice, that of Yosef David Sánchez-Molina, honorary consul of the State of Israel in Barcelona, reiterated the sacred connection to the land and to the history that shapes Israeli identity. He affirmed that fear would not prevail and that the community would continue to protect life and freedom for its people.n