Argentina claims it thwarted an attack on the Jewish community

Argentina’s Federal Police has said it has dismantled a terrorist cell planning attacks against the country’s Jewish community, the National Security Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The ministry said that members of the group, which it described as “Islamist terrorist organisation”, were detained at different strategic points, including the Cristo Redentor Border Crossing on the border with Chile and the Ezeiza International Airport in the capital Buenos Aires, indicating that some of those involved were trying to flee the country. No details were given about the identities of those arrested.

Seven members of the alleged group were arrested, the ministry said. Eight raids were carried out at the homes of the members resulting in the seizure of various firearms, such as shotguns and revolvers, as well as knives and daggers. In addition, a considerable number of electronic devices were confiscated, including mobile phones, computers and games consoles, the ministry added.

Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich posted on social media a video of the raids and said: “In 8 raids, the PFA dismantled a dangerous organisation linked to a radical Islamic group, identified after threatening a journalist from the Jewish community. This organisation used the networks to spread hate messages, plan attacks.”

7 TERRORISTAS ¡AFUERA!

Planeaban atentados en Mendoza. En 8 allanamientos la PFA desmanteló una peligrosa organización vinculada a un grupo terrorista radical islámico, identificado tras amenazar a un periodista de la comunidad judía. Esta organización usaba las redes para… pic.twitter.com/f0NMhBxwGA

— Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) August 16, 2024

“The person responsible was identified, and then the group was identified. The police raided the place and a number of weapons were seized,” she added.According to Bullrich, the investigation began after a complaint was filed by the Community Assistance Department of the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA) which reported threats directed at a Jewish journalist. “We are going to get rid of each and every one of these criminals who intend to sow fear in Argentines and they will pay,” she concluded.

READ: What now after Argentina classifies Hamas as a terrorist organisation?

Argentina, home to Latin America’s largest Jewish population, has witnessed two deadly attacks against Jews before; the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and wounded hundreds in what remains the deadliest such incident in the country’s history. The other attack, against the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992, left more than 20 dead.

7 TERRORISTAS ¡AFUERA!

Planeaban atentados en Mendoza. En 8 allanamientos la PFA desmanteló una peligrosa organización vinculada a un grupo terrorista radical islámico, identificado tras amenazar a un periodista de la comunidad judía. Esta organización usaba las redes para… pic.twitter.com/f0NMhBxwGA

— Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) August 16, 2024

“I am not Jewish, but I am a fan of Israel, I have a deep admiration. I am a Catholic and every day I kneel in front of a Jew,” Argentina’s President Javier Milei told La Nación in 2021.

“I am thinking about converting to Judaism and I aspire to become the first Jewish president in Argentine history,” he said during the closing ceremony of his presidential campaign at the Movistar Arena Stadium.

Milei, a staunch proponent of both the Jewish community and Israel, promised last month to beef up the national intelligence system to prevent future attacks against the Jewish Community.

Some observers point out that Milei’s focus on highlighting attacks on the country’s Jewish community is all part of his strategy to divert attention from the economic and political crises plaguing the country and attract support from the Jewish community.

It also serves as a way through which he can prove his loyalty to America and Israel. Milei is seen as a new ally and the catalyst for a new chapter in relations with Argentina.

“The thing that’s different, finally, is that there’s a new president in Argentina,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and a former US congressman, praising the “shared values” that he said now unite Argentina, the US and Israel.

READ: All kinds of torture, genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, says sister of deceased aid worker