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B’nai B’rith International remembers the 22nd anniversary of the Israeli Embassy bombing in Buenos Aires. On the afternoon of March 17, 1992, a suicide bomber drove a truck loaded with explosives into the corner of the embassy and then detonated multiple bombs. The attack killed 29 people, injured 242 and also destroyed a church and a school. It was the deadliest terror attack in Argentina until the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building was bombed in 1994. That attack killed 85 people and wounded 300. Iran has been linked to both bombings, but none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice.

“Twenty-two years later, the wounds from this attack still feel fresh,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “It’s hard to find closure in such a horrific tragedy when no one has been brought to justice. Despite the passing of decades, B’nai B’rith will not forget this unnecessary loss of life.”

The attacks on the embassy and on the AMIA building have been credited to Iran’s terror armHezbollahwith an official report from the Argentine prosecutor’s office naming Iran as responsible for the AMIA attack. Since 2007, an INTERPOL “red notice” (indicating that Argentina is seeking the arrest and extradition of a particular person) has been issued for Iran’s former defense minister.

Despite all of the facts pointing to Iran as the perpetrator behind these terrorist acts, in January 2013 Argentina entered into an agreement with Iran which purports to cooperate in finding the attackers of the AMIA bombing. It is shocking to think Argentina expects Iran to be a fair partner in the search for justice.   

“It’s astounding that even with a mass of evidence pinning both terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires on Iran, Argentina has instead aligned itself with the regime responsible in a dubious attempt to find answers,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “The joint-investigation that these governments are planning to carry out will only further cloud any truth behind the bombings and it’s highly doubtful any justice will be carried out.”

On March 18, B’nai B’rith International will participate in a commemoration ceremony in Buenos Aires to remember those lost in the Israeli Embassy bombing. B’nai B’rith Argentina President Mario Wilhelm will be in attendance.