Spanish Town Changes its Name from ‘Kill the Jews’ (Huh????!!!!)By Harriet Alexander
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/11692370/Spanish-town-changes-its-name-from-Kill-the-Jews.html
Castrillo Matajudíos is ending almost 400 years of history, and changing its name to something less controversial
A Spanish town whose name translated as “Kill the Jews” has agreed to change its title, after a referendum to end almost 400 years of history.
Castrillo Matajudíos, an 11th century settlement half way between Madrid and the northern coast, announced that from now its name will be Castrillo Mota de Judíos – Jewish Hillock.
“Castrillo, by changing its name, is righting a historic wrong – which does not correspond neither to history nor to the wishes of the residents,” said Lorenzo Rodríguez, mayor of the town, at an event in May which brought Sefardi Jews from around the world to the town.
The settlement was initially called Mota de Judíos, but switched it to Matajudíos in 1623, at a time when the Jews were being persecuted in Spain. Although Jews were killed in the area, researchers believe the village got its name from Jewish residents who converted to Catholicism and wanted to reinforce their repudiation of Judaism to convince Spanish authorities of their loyalty.
Others suspect the change may have come from a slip of the pen.
On Monday the regional government of Castile and Leon approved the change, which it said “has historical justification”. The town’s 56 inhabitants voted in favour of changing the name during last year’s European elections, but it was not approved until Monday, when the regional government confirmed that it did not replicate the name of any other town or village in Spain. Twenty nine people voted to change the name, while 19 voted to retain it.
No Jews live in the village today, but many residents have ancient Jewish roots and the town’s official shield includes the Star of David.
Spain also has an ancient south-eastern town called Valle de Matamoros, which translate as Kill Muslims Valley. The town, which marks an area where Muslims were killed during the Reconquest, has said it has no plans to change its name.
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