The Spanish village whose name translates into English as “Fort Kill Jews” has been changed after the local government and its 56 residents voted last year to do so.
Castrillo Matajudios, which is near the northern city of Burgos, has now reverted to its previous name – Castrillo Mota de Judios (“Jew’s Hill Fort”), Associated Press reported.
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Earlier this month, the Spanish government approved a law setting a citizenship path for descendants of Jews who were forced to leave the country 500 years ago.
This small village was founded in 1035 by Jews fleeing persecution. The controversial name derived from a Spanish edict of 1492 ordering the Jewish people to either convert to Catholicism or leave the country.
Those who remained faced the Spanish inquisition, and many were burned at the stake. Today, the town has no Jewish residents, despite the fact that its official seal contains the Star of David.
Spain still has a village called Valle de Matamoros, or “Kill Moors valley” – a reference to the North African invaders who conquered parts of southern Spain, although there are no plans to change its name.
Hindus laud Spanish village for scrapping “Kill Jews” name
Hindus have thanked the residents and regional government of Castrillo Matajudios (“Fort Kill Jews”) village in Spain for its reported name change to Castrillo Mota de Judios (“Jew’s Hill Fort”).
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, today said it was shocking to learn that such a village name existed in the contemporary Europe.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that despite our seriously different faiths; we needed to learn to live together in peace, mutual loyalty and trust. Existence of different religions showed God’s munificence and goodwill.
Rajan Zed further said that as we were headed in the same direction, we should live in harmony with each other. A true relationship with the Divine could take place in all the world’s esteemed religions.
Zed also came out in support of Jews asking France to change the name of its “Death to Jews” (La Mort aux Juifs) hamlet, about 60 miles from Paris.
Rajan Zed urged French President Francois Hollande to immediately look into changing name of this hamlet. If France refused to change it, European Commission should intervene; Zed stressed, and added that France needed to show some maturity.
What was more baffling that even the religious elite of Europe had not come out openly against these unacceptable names, Zed wondered, and urged His Holiness Pope Francis to speak on this issue.
Rajan Zed also urged another village Valle de Matamoros (Kill Moors valley) in southwestern Spain to change its name.
