WJC reacts to Argentine court’s verdict in AMIA bombing cover-up case: "We are still awaiting full justice for this attack"

NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress stands with the Jewish community of Argentina in expressing a mixed reaction to the verdict handed down by a federal criminal court in a trial over the obstruction of the investigation into the deadly 1994 terrorist attack against the  Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 and left 300 wounded.

In support of the joint statement released Thursday by AMIA and by Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA), the umbrella Jewish organization of Argentina, WJC President Ronald Lauder said: “The World Jewish Congress is pleased that for the first time in almost 25 years since the deadliest terrorist attack on Argentinian soil, the court has moved to truly reach justice in this case and hold top officials accountable.”

“We are also satisfied with the court’s decision to acquit former DAIA President Rubén Beraja, proving its commitment to truth and the clear understanding that treating victims as criminals would only prolong the suffering of those seeking closure in this horrible and long-overdue case,” Lauder said. 

“The WJC underscores its support for the Jewish community in Argentina, and our continued horror over one of the deadliest attacks the Western world has seen since World War II,” Lauder said. “The families and loved ones of the victims of this attack are still waiting for justice to be served, and for the perpetrators to be brought to trial, both local as well as those working for the long arm of Iran. Hundreds of innocent people, from different religious backgrounds and nationalities, were killed or badly injured, and the masterminds are still free.”

“We must stand united in our quest for truth and justice and make it clear to the world that there can never be justification for terrorism or impunity for murder,” he said.

The obstruction trial, which dealt with the cover-up of the AMIA attack, marked the first time that top officials were convicted in this case. The cover-up was denounced in 1997 by the relatives of the victims, and revealed to the public in 1994.