In Defense of the People of Israel

The SpanishSenator, Angel Pulido Fernandez (1852-1932) and the Sephardic Diaspora

Abstract

Dr. Angel Pulido Fernandez (1852-1932) studied medicine in Madrid during the revolutionary years, 1868-1874. He practiced medicine until going into politics in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Throughout his life, Pulido belonged to Liberal Catholic political parties and cherished the idea of tolerance for all. Like his liberal peers, Angel Pulido blamed intolerance and lack of pluralism for the decay of Spain and firmly stood up for a change in the public agenda of his fatherland. He was thoroughly impressed by the adherence ofthe Sephardic Jews, whose ancestors had been expelled from the Iberian Kingdoms in 1492, to theirJudeo-Spanish language. Under the influence ofEmilio Castelar (1832-1899), Pulido thought he could forward the interests of his fatherland, by promoting a reconciliation between Spain and the Sephardic Jews, using the Judeo-Spanish language as a bridge between them. Moreover, a reconciliation of this kind could be satisfactory evidence that Spain would adopt a new approach oftolerating the other; ofpluralism and freedom of cult and conscience for all. This, in turn, could bring about a major change in the world image ofSpain and the Spaniards, which would improve the position of Spain among the nations of the world; thus bringing about revival and progress for the country and its inhabitants. Such a crucial change was all the more necessary, in face of the devastating effects ofthe crisis of 1898, when Spain lost its last remaining colonies to the USA and became aware of its decline. Spaniards became concerned about the decadence of their country. There were more and more people who believed that intolerance and lack ofpluralism had changed the course of Spanish history and had led to the decline of the once omnipotent ruling power ofthe world. In 1893, Pulido launched a campaign forreestablishing relations, both cultural and commercial, with the Sephardic Jews, especially in theirMediterranean Diaspora. He carried on this campaign as long as his failing health allowed him to. The results ofthis fervent campaign were not very impressive; yet, at home, Angel Pulido did manage to create some public opinion in favor ofthe Judeo-Spanish speaking Sephardic Jews. Neither was the response oflatter considerable either. Mediterranean Sephardic Jews, who wished to advance and better their standards ofliving, took other ways and the option of adopting a Spanish cultural hegemony was not their choice.