ARGENTINA: Argentine Jewish community condemn Hizbollah on the 12th anniversary of bombing of Israeli Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA)

Argentina's Jewish community gathered on Tuesday (July 18) to commemorate the 12-year anniversary of the bombing of the Israeli Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) that left 85 dead and hundreds injured. A group gathered in front of the building that was blown up 12 years ago to pay respects to the dead. Family members and friends of the victims held pictures of their loved ones while a siren sounded in memory of the moment of the explosion. The AMIA has since been rebuilt and stands in the heart of Once, a largely Jewish neighbourhood just east of downtown Buenos Aires. The anniversary of the attack falls in the middle of escalating violence in the Middle East. Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on Lebanon as a part of long-running conflict with the radical Shiite sect Hizbollah. Luis Grynwald, president of the AMIA, took the opportunity to speak out against Hizbollah. "There is no other way to explain the irrational atrocities Israel is suffering in Haifa, in Nahariya, in Safed: it is Hizbollah. 12 year ago they same deadly hand hit us. They are the same people who now say no to life," Grynwald said to the gathering. Grynwald also urged that the Argentine government cut diplomatic ties with Iran. While Argentine, Israeli and US officials have long suspected the bombing was orchestrated by the Hizbollah with backing from Iran, the group denies the accusations. In November of last year, an Argentine prosecutor identified Ibrahim Hussein Berro as responsible for planning and executing the attacks, but, despite a lengthy probe, no one has been convicted. Five police officers accused of supplying the vehicle were tried and acquitted. Luis Czyczesky, the father of one of the victims of the attack, echoed frustrations expressed by the Jewish community at what they see as a lack of justice. "We are a long way from justice in Argentina. If it were like you (Argentine President Nestor Kirchner) say, we would be here shedding a tear and remember those who died, not talking about impunity and the lack of clarity," Czyczesky said. Although the flags on the Government House flew at half-mast, President Kirchner was meeting with Paraguayan president Nicanor Duarte Frutos. The absence marked the first time since taking office that Kirchner has not been in attendance for the anniversary of the AMIA bombing, prompting criticism from the Jewish community.

ITN Source | July 19, 2006

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