A Maimonides statue in Córdoba was defaced. His writings have an answer to hate – opinion

A bronze statue of Maimonides in Córdoba, Spain, was defaced with a swastika between July 31 and August 1. The city council condemned the act as an "attack on heritage" and "a message of hate of extreme gravity," promptly arranging for its removal. The author argues that the vandalism targets Judaism itself, not Israel, as Maimonides died centuries before the state's creation. Drawing on Maimonides's writings, the article suggests he would attribute such hatred to ignorance. Maimonides, who faced forced conversion during his lifetime, believed that campaigns to eradicate Jews, whether through violence, argument, or rival faiths, are ultimately doomed to fail. He also advocated for mercy towards those forced to convert, stating, "Judge the persecutor. Not the persecuted."