MADRID (VINnews) – Three elderly Israeli women, including a Holocaust survivor, were expelled from Madrid’s Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía after other visitors harassed them over visible Jewish symbols, including a Star of David necklace and a small Israeli flag, according to reports from Spanish media and Jewish organizations.

The incident occurred on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, when the women — tourists accompanied by a Spanish companion who recorded parts of the event — faced verbal abuse from museumgoers. Some visitors shouted insults such as “child killers” and “genocide,” reacting to the symbols, the Spanish outlet Okdiario reported.

A security guard intervened but ordered the women to leave, stating that “some visitors were disturbed that they are Jewish,” and instructed them to conceal their Jewish symbols, claiming such items could not be displayed inside the museum. Instead of addressing the harassers, staff escorted the targeted women out of the premises.

Harassed and called “child killers,” 3 elderly Jewish women were removed by security from Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum because others were “disturbed that they are Jewish.” One of them is a Holocaust survivor.

Staff told the women to hide their Jewish symbols and forced them out… pic.twitter.com/liM2bmwvA1

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) February 16, 2026

One of the women is a Holocaust survivor of Hungarian origin.

The Reina Sofía, a prominent modern art museum under Spain’s Culture Ministry, has previously hosted exhibitions and events related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including one titled “From the River to the Sea” during the Israel-Hamas war, which drew criticism for alleged antisemitic undertones and protests.

The episode has drawn condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups amid a reported global rise in antisemitism.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement described it as a case where “rather than shield visitors from harassment, museum personnel escorted out the targets of abuse.”

The European Jewish Congress highlighted concerns over the decision to remove the victims instead of protecting them from antisemitic abuse.

Dana Erlich, head of mission at the Israeli Embassy in Spain, reportedly emphasized that the Israeli flag is a legitimate national symbol and called for antisemitism to be confronted without ambiguity.

Museum officials have not yet issued a public statement on the incident, according to available reports. The women were not identified by name in initial accounts.