Spanish village finally votes to change name from 'Camp Kill Jews'

A Spanish village called Castrillo Matajudios, which means 'Camp Kill Jews', has finally voted to change its name - after nearly 400 years.

Mayor Lorenzo Rodriguez said the village, about 160 miles north of Madrid, only has 56 registered voters, and the vote for change was 29-19.

According to Fox News, documents show the town's original name was Castrillo Motajudios, meaning 'Jews' Hill Camp'.

The 'Kill Jews' name dates from 1627, more than a century after a 1492 Spanish royal edict ordering Jews to become Catholics or flee the country.

Those who stayed in the area and refused to convert faced the Spanish inquisition, and many were burned at the stake.

But, according to Rodriguez, many researchers believe the town got its name from Jewish residents who'd converted to Catholicism and wanted to prove their loyalty to Spanish authorities.

Others suggest the name change occurred after an accidental slip of the pen.

Although there are currently no Jews living in the town, many residents have Jewish roots, and the town's official shield includes the Star of David.

Authorities are thought to want to change the name to attract more tourists to the area.

According to the Independent, Mayor Rodriguez, who submitted the proposal, said: "We had no idea that this would be something that would gain worldwide attention.

"We can't carry a name that suggests we kill Jewish people when we're completely the opposite; this is a community that sprang from Jewish roots and its descendants are the descendants of Jewish people."

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