Jewish Patrons Ejected From Spanish Spa After Staff React to ‘Free Palestine’ Video

On a sunny afternoon at a popular spa on the Costa Brava, two friends—both Israeli‑born and proudly wearing Star of David necklaces—settled into the warm waters, looking forward to a relaxing soak. Their tranquil moment, however, took an abrupt turn when a group of staff members gathered around a tablet, watching a short, emotionally charged video that referenced the ongoing Israel‑Palestine conflict and carried the hashtag “#FreePalestine.”

According to eyewitnesses, as the video played, a staff member noticed the women’s necklaces and, apparently interpreting the scene as a potential flashpoint, approached them. The employees reportedly asked the duo to leave the premises, citing a “policy of neutrality” and an alleged need to avoid “any political tension” among guests.

The two women, whose names have not been released, said they felt shocked and humiliated. “We were just trying to enjoy a day off,” one of them told a local reporter. “Being singled out because of a piece of jewelry that represents our heritage feels like discrimination, plain and simple.”

Management at the spa issued a brief statement the following day, claiming that the decision was “made in the best interest of all guests” and that “no one was singled out for their religion or ethnicity.” They added that staff are trained to de‑escalate situations that could become politically charged. Critics, however, argue that the response reveals a deeper bias, pointing out that the spa’s policy does not explicitly address religious symbols.

Legal experts note that Spanish anti‑discrimination law protects individuals from unfavorable treatment based on religion. “If the women were asked to leave solely because of visible religious symbols, that could constitute unlawful discrimination,” said María López, a civil‑rights attorney based in Barcelona. She added that proving intent can be tricky, but the incident certainly raises questions about how private businesses navigate politically sensitive topics.

The episode has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Hashtags like #SpaDiscrimination and #StandWithJewishWomen quickly trended, drawing both support for the women and condemnation of the spa’s actions. Some users argue that businesses should stay truly neutral, while others contend that attempting to erase visible religious identity is itself a form of bias.

Meanwhile, the owners of the spa have announced an internal review of their staff training procedures and promised to “re‑evaluate” how they handle politically charged content in public spaces. Whether that review leads to concrete changes remains to be seen, but the incident has undeniably placed a spotlight on the delicate balance between hospitality, free expression, and respect for religious diversity.

For now, the two women are considering legal counsel and have expressed a desire to raise awareness about the incident. “We don’t want anyone else to go through what we experienced,” one of them said, adding that they hope the story will encourage a broader conversation about how we treat symbols of faith in public venues.