Ceremony honors changing Spanish town's name from 'Kill Jews' to original 'Jews' Hill Camp'

CASTRILLO MOTA DE JUDIOS, Spain – Israel's ambassador has joined Spanish officials in celebrating the name change of the ancient Spanish town of Castrillo Matajudios ("Camp Kill Jews") to Castrillo Mota de Judios ("Jews' Hill Camp").

The event Friday came a year after the north-central village of some 50 inhabitants voted to change its name after the mayor argued it was offensive and the village should honor its Jewish origins.

Documents show the village's original name was "Jews' Hill Camp" and that the "Kill Jews" name dates from 1627, after a 1492 Spanish edict ordering Jews to convert to Catholicism or flee the country.

Ambassador Daniel Kutner said the town's decision to celebrate its Jewish past was to be praised.