For Immediate Release
January 28, 2013
Statement on the Iranian-Argentinian Agreement
Toronto, ON – Today, Iran and Argentina announced an agreement to establish a “truth commission” to examine the 1994 bombing of the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) building, which claimed 85 lives. Since 2006, Argentina has called for the extradition of a number of Iranian officials implicated in planning and ordering the attack. This includes former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and current Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi.
David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed that Argentina has joined with Iran to strike a so-called ‘truth commission’ to look into the worst terrorist attack in Argentina’s history. It is disturbing to think that any democracy – let alone one that suffered a mass bombing – would hand over its investigative duties to a ‘truth commission’ beyond its borders. That such a commission would be jointly established with the party implicated in the crime is added insult to those who were murdered at AMIA.
“For the victims’ families and for the entire Jewish community of Argentina, this decision is a betrayal of justice that has already been long denied. We call on the Government of Canada to convey to Argentina our country’s disappointment in its decision, and affirm the expectation that the due process of law will not be replaced by a futile exercise.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is a non-partisan organization that serves as the advocacy arm of the Jewish Federations of Canada.
For more information, contact:
Steve McDonald
Associate Director, Communications
416-953-4417