PSOE rewards Amparo Rubiales, the historic leader who resigned as president of the party in Seville in June 2023 after describing Elías Bendodo, current deputy secretary for autonomous policy of the PP, as a “Nazi Jew”. The 79-year-old Sevillian politician is one of the winners of the Rosa Manzano Awards in its XXIV edition which recognizes people who have contributed to the feminist struggle. This Friday he receives the distinction during the 41st Federal Congress of the party which is held until Sunday at the Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions in Seville, Fibes.
The PSOE of Seville asked him to rectify the exclusions towards Bendodo, from a Sephardic Jewish family. Amparo Rubiales, far from retracting, reaffirmed that the deputy general secretary of the PSOE was a “Nazi”in a subsequent message published on the social network X (Twitter). The PP politician filed a complaint against her, but the magistrate of the Court of Instruction number 2 of Seville suspended the investigation opened against the former socialist leader, ensuring that from his words it cannot be deduced that he there is an offense of hatred or insults.
The 79-year-old politician has held many important positions over the past decades. Amparo Rubiales was vice-president of the Congress, councilor of state, advisor to the presidency of the Junta de Andalucía, deputy and senator, among other positions.
The jury, chaired by Ana Redondo, Secretary for Equality, which met in October, recognizes Amparo Rubiales that her entire life has been “dedicated to gender equality” and “It has been a constant reference in the fight for women’s rights in Spain”. The PSOE recognizes former President Zapatero for his enormous contribution to the equality of men and women, as well as for his tireless work in the fight against gender violence. Pedro Sánchez’s party also rewarded Charo Velasco, who was “an example, dedication and courage in the Nevenka case, an important step in the fight against sexual harassment in the political field.”
Some controversial statements
On June 3, 2023, Rubiales attacked Elías Bendodo on the aforementioned social network for stating that Spain “is a country so strong that it has endured five years of harsh sanchism, but it is not strong enough to endure nine years” and assured that Pedro Sánchez was a “cheater” because of the electoral progress. “This is really the speech of a Jewish Nazi!”, published the former socialist leader.
Five days later, Rubiales partially qualified his message: “Someone’s religion, origin or ethnicity should never be used for political criticism. Even if, as in my case, the intention was to point out a serious inconsistency. My apologies and correction: Bendodo is a Nazi“. His response received a torrent of criticism, notably from the president of the PP, Alberto Nuñez Feijóo.
Rubiales’ remarks were also rejected by the leadership of the PSOE of Seville which deemed them rejectable and requested a rectification. As she did not reconsider her remarks, she presented her resignation as president and the PSOE accepted it “to settle the controversy” after having distanced itself from her disqualifications.
Second tribute to Rubiales this year
This is the second recognition Amparo Rubiales has received this year from his party. The veteran socialist reference Amparo Rubiales received a tribute in Espartinas (Seville) by naming the House of the People of his training in the city, in an event attended by the deputy secretary general at the federal level, the Sevillian Maria Jesus Montero, also first vice-president of the government and minister of Finance.
Likewise, the jury posthumously awarded an honorable mention to Maria José Varela Pozoa fellow socialist who dedicated her professional and personal life to the fight for gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in the Balearic Islands, both within the Balearic government and in the feminist movement.
