The Latin American mission of B’nai B’rith International leaders from Latin America, the United States, Europe and Australia, led by President Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, engaged in a day of intense high-level political meetings in Uruguay on May 6.

The delegation began the day meeting with former Uruguayan Presidents Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera (1990-1995), Luis Lacalle Pou (2020-2025) and Julio Sanguinetti (1985-1990 and 1995-2000). Discussions focused on the rise of global anti-Semitism, particularly on social media, and the efforts of democratic parties to confront the challenges posed by populism.

B’nai B’rith leaders also met with Israeli Ambassador to Uruguay Michal Hershkovitz and U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to Uruguay Chris Andino. The discussions centered on the political challenges facing Uruguay’s democracy.

The delegation later met with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi at the Presidential Executive Tower. Orsi spoke forcefully against terrorism, reaffirmed his commitment to Uruguay’s observance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism and announced that Uruguay will participate in the IHRA conference in Argentina in June.

Orsi also praised B’nai B’rith Uruguay for organizing more than three decades of events commemorating Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, emphasizing their importance for presidents, political parties and civil society.