The ancient Spanish town known as ‘Camp Kill the Jews’ (Castrillo Matajudios) has twinned with the northern Israeli town of Kfar Vradim.

A delegation from Castrillo Matajudios – which changed its name last year and is now called ‘Jewish Hill Camp’(Castrillo Mota de Judios ) – arrived in Israel at the weekend for the ceremony linking the two towns.

The mayor of the Spanish town, Lorenzo Rodriguez, said: “We’re here in the Promised Land to safeguard the roots of the town, established in 1035”. He went on to say that twinning the towns marks a “new chapter in the history of Castrillo Mota de Judios,” and that moves have been made to set up a Jewish culture museum in the town.

The town changed its name in October, after a village-wide vote ruled that the name was offenisive and that the town should honour its Jewish roots – the town’s original name was “Jews Hill Camp”, before being changed during the Spanish Inquisition, and its official shield includes the Star of David.