The legislative body’s Lower House early on Thursday approved the bill establishing the joint program with 131 votes in favor and 113 against, after 13 hours of debate. The accord was approved last week in the Argentine Congress’ Upper House.
No single political representative of the main opposition parties voted for the bill, but the government party has its own majority in both chambers.
“We are surprised that the Argentine government would team up with the Iranian government to seek out justice,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan Jacobs said in a statement. “Given Iran’s deplorable judicial track record and its refusal to turn over those previously implicated in the bombings, there’s little reason to believe anything substantial will come out of this commission…more.