Barcelona Investigates Sauna Entry Denial Over Star of David. Catalan police have launched an investigation after two Jewish women filed a complaint. They were denied entry to Thermas sauna due to a visible Star of David. The incident sparked public outcry and prompted a response from authorities.
In Barcelona, the Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) have launched an investigation into a possible hate crime following a complaint by two American women of Jewish descent. According to them, they were denied entry to the popular LGTBI sauna Thermas in the Eixample district because they were wearing clothing with a visible Star of David. The incident occurred on Friday evening, when a Mossos patrol was called to the scene to collect statements and file a report.
As reported by the EFE agency, the conflict began at the entrance to the sauna, when an employee asked the visitors if they were “Zionists” and linked their religious affiliation to the entry ban. According to the Asociación Acción y Comunicación sobre Oriente Medio (ACOM), after being refused, a verbal altercation broke out, escalating into physical contact by the staff. At that point, according to the complainants, other patrons were shouting “Free Palestine.”
A video recorded by the women themselves at the entrance to Thermas captured a tense exchange with staff. A representative of the establishment said she had nothing against wearing the Star of David, but emphasized the difference between Jewish identity and political views. The staff also demanded that filming stop, citing internal rules, which further heightened tensions and led to intervention by security personnel.
Police who arrived at the scene attempted to resolve the conflict and recorded the details of the employee who denied access. An official investigation has since been launched for possible discrimination and a potential hate crime. The Barcelona hate crimes prosecutor's office has not yet confirmed receiving a complaint.
The ACOM organization stated that it has referred the case to its lawyers to prepare a lawsuit under Law 15/2022 on ensuring equality and preventing discrimination, as well as articles concerning violations of public establishment regulations. In turn, the administration of the Thermas sauna issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and strongly condemning any manifestations of antisemitism, racism, and discrimination.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded to the incident, calling it another case of antisemitism in Spain and urging authorities to take decisive action. The ministry's statement emphasized that requiring someone to distance themselves from Zionism in order to access public spaces constitutes discrimination on religious grounds.
According to open source data, Barcelona remains one of the largest LGTBI cultural hubs in Europe, and the Eixample district is known for its high concentration of themed establishments. Spain's Law 15/2022 provides for administrative and criminal liability for discrimination based on religion. In recent years, the country has seen a rise in complaints about such incidents, drawing increased attention to issues of equality and the protection of minority rights.
