US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to visit Argentina
US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt today begins a six-day visit to Argentina and Chile.
The American diplomat will meet with local Jewish communities and government officials and commemorate the anniversary of the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Lipstadt’s visit comes following a tour of Saudi Arabia, Israel and the UAE.
Argentina has a population of approximately 175,000 Jews—the largest in Latin America and the seventh largest in the world. Following World War II, the country also saw a large influx of ex-Nazi emigrants. The 1994 bombing—one of the largest anti-Semitic attacks in post-war history—killed 85 and injured over 300 people.
While Buenos Aires will welcome Lipstadt’s visit and pledge cooperation with Washington and other capitals to root out anti-Semitism, the visit comes as Argentina’s center-left government faces anti-government protests and an economic crisis. Economic desperation caused by high rates of poverty and soaring prices will empower fringe elements of civil society—including anti-Semitic elements within Argentina. Moreover, Buenos Aires’ preoccupation with Argentina’s immediate economic needs will draw attention away from government efforts to combat anti-Semitism and protect Jewish populations. Therefore, expect Lipstadt’s visit only to have a limited impact.
