MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina’s commemorates 25 years of the Jewish Centre bombing

The best tribute we can pay to their memory is to continue to seek justice”, said the Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Carlos Sersale di Cerisano

“This year we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack on the headquarters of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires”.

The best tribute we can pay to their memory is to continue to seek justice”, said the Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Carlos Sersale di Cerisano during the event in memory of the victims of the blast that killed 85 people and injured more than 300.

“Every country around the world has a responsibility to collaborate with the Argentine legal system, in order to fight terrorism and eradicate anti-Semitism”, he added, in the presence of the local Jewish community in London, including Rabbi Daniel Sturgess; Ambassador of Israel to the UK, Mark Regev; the British Ambassador to Argentina; members of the Board of Deputies of British Jewish, the World Jewish Congress, Latin American Jewish Congress; Simon Wiesenthal; B'Nai B'rith, the Community Security Trust; Diplomatic Corps.

In his speech, the Argentine Ambassador called for international cooperation “to put on trial in Argentina the Iranian citizens that are under an international arrest warrant” for their alleged responsibility in the attack, and insisted that countries “should refuse to host or offer refuge to any of the accused, on whom international arrest appeals and Interpol Red Notices have been issued”.

At the end of the ceremony, the Argentine Ambassador quoted Isaac Rabin, Israel’s unremitting champion of peace: “There is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives. Not armored plating, or tanks, or planes, or concrete fortifications. The one radical solution, ladies and gentlemen, is peace”.

The global commemoration is a joint initiative between the Latin American Jewish Congress – the regional branch of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Commemorations took place in Tel Aviv, Santiago de Chile, Paris and London, and are scheduled to continue in Berlin, New York, Madrid, Moscow, Brasilia, Canberra, Rome and the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva.

 

Quotes from the main speakers:

 Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas:
“Today´s gathering is the best response to those who seek to divide us. It is testament not only to the resilience of Argentina´s Jewish community, but also to the UK´s and Argentina´s thriving multi-faith, multi-ethnic societies. Most of all, it is testament to our shared values and our common humanity, and a visible demonstration, to those who do not share those values, that they will never succeed”.

 Sheila Gewolb, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jewish: 
“A quarter of a century has now elapsed and no one has yet been brought to justice for this terrible attack. We hope there will soon be justice for the victims and their families”.

Robert Singer CEO of the World Jewish Congress:
“Unfortunately events like [the AMIA bombing] start many times with the Jews but it never end with the Jews”
“I know the Government of Argentina is doing its best to finally bring those responsible to justice. However, it is really a time for action, not statements. It is time for all of us to movilise together and put as much pressure as possible on Iran and on different countries that have to deal with this issue”.

 Adrián Werthein, President of the Latin American Jewish Congress:
“Terrorism is a disease that has claimed many victims all over the world. Only a commitment between the free and democratic nations to fight against it will bring results that will give more security to our peoples. We want to live in peace and we want the next generation to live in peace”