Lorraine Williamson
A group of Israeli tourists was forcibly removed from a restaurant in Vigo this week, sparking an international incident, a police investigation, and fierce public debate across Spain.
The controversy erupted on Tuesday when around ten tourists sat down for lunch at Mimassa, an Italian restaurant in Vigo’s city centre. According to the owner, Samir Slim, the group requested meat-free dishes, prompting him to ask if they were Turkish. When they revealed they were Israeli, the tone shifted abruptly.
A now-viral video filmed by Slim shows him shouting: “Out of here! You are killing Palestine! Go eat in Gaza, there’s good beer there!” The confrontation quickly escalated as the tourists responded with cries of “Viva Israel!”. Slim, originally from Lebanon, later claimed the group had behaved strangely and treated him with disrespect.
Despite serving Italian cuisine, the restaurant is decorated with Lebanese flags and Arabic motifs — something Slim says is a reflection of his heritage and political identity. He admitted to encouraging the group to leave, but insists the situation only deteriorated once he began filming.
Police step in as hate crime allegations mount
Although none of the tourists appear to have filed a complaint directly, a Madrid resident lodged a formal denunciation with police after the video circulated online. This prompted Vigo’s Brigada de Información (Information Brigade of the National Police) to launch an investigation into whether the incident constitutes a hate crime under Spanish law.
Officers have already interviewed the restaurant owner. However, investigators believe the Israeli tourists may have left the city, complicating efforts to obtain direct testimony.
Israeli Embassy: “A very serious problem in Europe”
The Israeli Embassy in Spain issued a scathing condemnation, stating: “It is completely unacceptable that in Spain in 2025, a climate exists where people can be expelled from a restaurant simply for being Israeli.”
In a pointed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy added: “A Europe where Jews are afraid to speak Hebrew is a Europe with a very serious problem. This is the product of growing hostility towards Jews and Israelis.”
The incident has reignited concerns about the rise of antisemitism in Europe, particularly in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Rights groups have warned of a noticeable uptick in targeted abuse, especially in public spaces, restaurants, and university campuses across the continent.
Local divisions and reputational concerns
Reaction in Vigo has been mixed. Some residents voiced sympathy with the Palestinian cause and defended Slim’s right to express political outrage. Others are concerned about the reputational damage such incidents could cause the city — especially in a summer when tourism is booming along Galicia’s coast.
Slim, for his part, told local paper La Voz de Galicia that he felt provoked and acted on impulse. He has since reopened the restaurant but remains under investigation.
The case underscores a broader tension brewing across Europe: how political expression intersects with hospitality, and whether outrage over international conflict can ever justify singling out individuals based on nationality or religion.
Spain caught in the diplomatic crossfire
As Spain prepares for a busy summer tourist season, the government now faces renewed scrutiny over how it handles allegations of hate crime, freedom of expression, and the protection of visitors — especially amid an intensifying international conflict.
Whether or not formal charges are brought in Vigo, the incident has already left its mark: a stark reminder that even a lunch on a quiet terrace can ignite a global firestorm.
Source: ABC Galicia