Argentinian Jews turn a World Cup chant into a call for justice 32 years after the AMIA bombing

Argentina's Jewish community has adopted a soccer-inspired slogan to mark the 32nd anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in the country's history, the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The phrase, "Today we cannot lose... our memory," echoes the popular World Cup chant "Today we cannot lose," which was ubiquitous during the recent tournament where Argentina finished second.

“

It is difficult to understand why the process toward a trial in absentia has been allowed to move forward so slowly.

The community aims to use this adaptation of the chant to force a reckoning with the bombing, which killed 85 people. Osvaldo Armoza, president of the AMIA (the Jewish community center), expressed frustration at the slow pace of justice, stating at a ceremony, "It is difficult to understand why the process toward a trial in absentia has been allowed to move forward so slowly."

Argentine Jewish leaders are hopeful that a new law permitting trials in absentia will bring some measure of justice. This law is seen as crucial for holding accountable Iranian and Hezbollah officials alleged to be behind the attack. Senator Patricia Bullrich acknowledged the case's complexity and slow progress but expressed optimism, stating, "Justice is moving forward, although it has been slow, of course. It has been a very complex and difficult case. But now, with the trial in absentia, the process is moving ahead, and that is very important."

“

Justice is moving forward, although it has been slow, of course. It has been a very complex and difficult case. But now, with the trial in absentia, the process is moving ahead, and that is very important.

Federal Judge Daniel Rafecas recently used the new law to order a trial for the current chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, and nine others accused by the late AMIA prosecutor Alberto Nisman. Armoza urged the Argentine government to ensure Interpol maintains red notices for the accused and to prevent countries from providing safe haven to fugitives. President Javier Milei, who has strengthened ties with Israel, attended the ceremony but did not speak.

“

We call on the Argentine government to take every necessary step to ensure that Interpol maintains these Red Notices in force, and to urge countries around the world not to provide safe haven to the fugitives.