Statement on the Anniversary of the AMIA Bombing

TORONTO, July 18, 2012 /CNW/ - On July 18, 1994, terrorists murdered 85 and wounded hundreds more in a bombing targeting a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires - the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building. Authorities have since blamed Hezbollah for carrying out the attack on orders from the Iranian regime. To this day, not a single individual has been convicted for what is considered the deadliest bombing in Argentina's history.

To mark the 18^th anniversary of the attack, David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, made the following statement:

"Today, we remember the victims of the AMIA bombing, who were targeted for a horrific attack simply because they were Jews. In honouring their memory, we reaffirm our solidarity with the Jewish community of Argentina - and our commitment to standing with Jewish victims of terror around the world.

"It is an outrage that after nearly two decades the perpetrators of this atrocity have not yet been brought to justice. Moreover, intelligence and media reports reveal ongoing efforts by Iran and Hezbollah to target Jews around the world - including throughout North America. Today's anniversary serves as a solemn reminder for Jewish communities to be vigilant in securing our institutions from threats, even in safe, advanced democracies like Canada."

As the advocacy arm of the Jewish Federations of Canada, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is a non-partisan organization that creates and implements strategies for the purpose of improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada and abroad, increasing support for Israel, and strengthening the Canada-Israel relationship.

Steve McDonald
Associate Director, Communications
416-953-4417
[email protected]