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July, 2004
Orthodox
Union Marks Anniversaries of Argentinean Terror Bombings
- Urges Support for Congressional Resolution
Twelve years
ago, the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires was struck by a terrorist
bomb, killing twenty-nine people and wounding dozens of Israelis
and Argentineans, including Israeli diplomats and staff, pupils in
a nearby school, and passersby. Ten years ago, on July 18, 1994,
the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Aid Association (AMIA), the Jewish
community headquarters building in Buenos Aires, was bombed. 87
people were murdered and 200 were wounded. Though all these years
have passed, only slow progress has been made in achieving justice
for the victims while the terrorists who committed these heinous
crimes have yet to be brought to justice. We sadly honor the
memory of the victims and share the pain of their families. We are
outraged that terrorism continues to claim so many innocent
victims all over the world.
The Orthodox Union continues to strongly press Argentinean leaders
to pursue the perpetrators of these acts of violence and bring
them to justice. Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and
Communal Affairs of the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs, said
“The bombings of the AMIA building and the Israeli Embassy were
perpetrated with the support of senior Iranian government
officials and Hezbollah. Syria as well was aware of the planned
attacks. Concerns about manipulation and ineptitude on the part of
Argentina have hampered the progress of the trial of this crime.
As the threat of global terrorism continues to spread, it is more
important than ever that the United States and world bodies
continue to closely monitor this trial and hold those responsible
for these acts of terrorism accountable for their actions.
“The Orthodox Union calls upon President Kirschner of Argentina to
intensify all efforts to solve these crimes. States and
organizations that support terrorism as a means to achieve their
political goals must be defeated. All nations and all
international organizations must truly cooperate on all levels in
order to help fight this scourge that is threatening so many parts
of the world.”
The Orthodox Union requests all its members to contact
Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor H.Con.Res.465, a
resolution introduced by Cong. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. This
resolution emphasizes the international connection to the July 18,
1994 bombing and calls for the U.S., the Argentine government and
the international community to bring the terrorists responsible
for this heinous act to justice. Representatives can be reached at
202-225-3121.
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