A sign with the old name Castrillo Matajudios
A sign with the old name Castrillo MatajudiosReuters

An ancient Spanish town which changed its name from an anti-Semitic name to a pro-Jewish one has come under attack from extremist groups who have daubed signposts and buildings with offensive symbols and messages protesting the switch, The Associated Press reported on Thursday.

In late 2015, the ancient Spanish town of Castrillo Matajudios, which translates as "Camp Kill Jews", officially changed its name to Castrillo Mota de Judios - meaning "Jews' Hill Camp".

The event came a year after the north-central village, of some 50 inhabitants, voted to change the name after the mayor said 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 1627, after the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain.

The town’s Mayor Lorenzo Rodriguez Perez said Thursday that the town filed a complaint with police after the latest weekend attack.

Rodriguez said that there have been six vandalism incidents since the vote to change the town’s name, as well as protests whenever Jewish or Israeli representatives visited, according to AP.

He said the graffiti and vandalism by people who don't live in the town would not change the town's push to honor its Jewish origins.

"They do it so that the town won't continue with the process of the name change and recognizing the town's Jewish past," said Rodriguez. "They want to intimidate us but they won't."

Town hall officials plan to visit Israel in July for a twinning ceremony with the village of Kfar Vradim, according to AP.

In the latest attack, the news agency said, the old town name was sprayed onto new road signs and as well as the extremist symbol of a circle with a cross. Rodriguez said that previously the town hall had been pasted with flyers.

No Jews live in the village now but many residents have Jewish roots and the town's official shield includes the Star of David.