South American antisemitism

The Washington Post reports that a number of South American countries are becoming inhospitable to their Jewish residents.

Anger at Israel’s recent military strikes in the Gaza Strip against the Islamist group Hamas have sparked demonstrations here and in two countries closely allied with Venezuela: Bolivia and Argentina.

But Jews in these countries are concerned about the growing anti-Semitic tone of the protesters, who frequently equate Israel with Nazi Germany, a theme increasingly evident on placards that juxtapose the Star of David with the swastika and in some public pronouncements.

In Argentina — which has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, about 250,000-strong — Jewish leaders describe a tense climate in which swastikas have been painted on Jewish schools, and graffiti demanding that Jews leave the country have been scrawled on walls. Protests have taken place at the Israeli Embassy, and demonstrators have also gathered in front of the InterContinental Hotel, which is owned by a prominent Argentine Jewish businessman, Eduardo Elsztain.

“It has created a climate of worry, a climate of terror,” said Julio Schlosser, secretary general of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, whose building was destroyed by a bombing in 1994 that killed 85 people. Prosecutors have accused the Iranian government and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in the attack.

I’m bothered that the article frames it in terms of a reaction to Israel’s war against Hamas. The ties between these countries and the Arab world is part of what’s driving the antisemitism. The recent increase in incidents may be attributed to the war in Gaza, but that’s because it’s a pretext that so many are willing to accept.

Prosecutors haven’t just accused the Iranian government in the terror attack, they’ve build a case against Iranian officials.

Regardless of the focus of the article it’s still a much needed look at an area where Jews are being scapegoated.

For more please see these two posts (via Haveil Havalim). Also see Venezuela: More antisemitism.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.