Beyond Duty: Spain: Sebastián De Romero Radigales
The Beyond Duty exhibition is dedicated to the Righteous Among the Nations
Spain: Sebastián De Romero Radigales
“Being released during the war from a Nazi camp was an unbelievable event. It happened thanks to an outstandingly courageous and humane man.” Holocaust survivor Isaac Revah
In the first two years of World War II, tens of thousands of Jewish refugees were able to reach Spain en route to other countries. Spain did not enact anti-Jewish laws, but only permitted refugees to transit through their country, and harshly treated stateless Jews who had entered illegally. When the deportations began, the Germans agreed to exempt Jews with citizenship of neutral countries, including Spain, from deportation, on condition that they would be repatriated. However, the Spanish government did not feel responsible for the Jews with Spanish citizenship residing in Greece or in other countries under Axis rule. Thus their return was radically restricted, and only several hundred reached Spain.
Following the deportation of 48,000 Jews from Salonika in Greece in March 1943, Sebastián de Romero Radigales, who headed the Spanish diplomatic delegation in Athens, asked Madrid to facilitate the repatriation of Spanish Jews. Despite his superiors' refusal, Radigales repeated the request, prompting Spanish Foreign Minister Jordana to instruct the diplomat in Athens "to maintain a passive approach, avoid any personal initiative, and refrain from issuing collective passports." Nevertheless, Radigales persisted, and tried to broaden the circle of people who received his protection. Radigales strove to protect 367 Jews with Spanish citizenship who had been deported to Bergen-Belsen until the Spanish government permitted their transfer to Spanish Morocco. He also helped Jews in Athens, trying to get them released from Haidari detention camp, and looked after the belongings of arrested Jews.
Sebastián de Romero Radigales was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 2014.
Beyond Duty: Spain: Sebastián De Romero Radigales
The Beyond Duty exhibition is dedicated to the Righteous Among the Nations
Spain: Sebastián De Romero Radigales
“Being released during the war from a Nazi camp was an unbelievable event. It happened thanks to an outstandingly courageous and humane man.” Holocaust survivor Isaac Revah
In the first two years of World War II, tens of thousands of Jewish refugees were able to reach Spain en route to other countries. Spain did not enact anti-Jewish laws, but only permitted refugees to transit through their country, and harshly treated stateless Jews who had entered illegally. When the deportations began, the Germans agreed to exempt Jews with citizenship of neutral countries, including Spain, from deportation, on condition that they would be repatriated. However, the Spanish government did not feel responsible for the Jews with Spanish citizenship residing in Greece or in other countries under Axis rule. Thus their return was radically restricted, and only several hundred reached Spain.
Following the deportation of 48,000 Jews from Salonika in Greece in March 1943, Sebastián de Romero Radigales, who headed the Spanish diplomatic delegation in Athens, asked Madrid to facilitate the repatriation of Spanish Jews. Despite his superiors' refusal, Radigales repeated the request, prompting Spanish Foreign Minister Jordana to instruct the diplomat in Athens "to maintain a passive approach, avoid any personal initiative, and refrain from issuing collective passports." Nevertheless, Radigales persisted, and tried to broaden the circle of people who received his protection. Radigales strove to protect 367 Jews with Spanish citizenship who had been deported to Bergen-Belsen until the Spanish government permitted their transfer to Spanish Morocco. He also helped Jews in Athens, trying to get them released from Haidari detention camp, and looked after the belongings of arrested Jews.
Sebastián de Romero Radigales was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 2014.