Will Argentina Recall Jewish Center Bombing Victims at World Cup Match With Iran?
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The World Jewish Congress called on the FIFA world soccer association to hold a tribute to the victims of the AMIA Jewish center terrorist attack before a match between Argentina and Iran at the World Cup in Brazil.
A letter sent to FIFA President Joseph Blatter calls for a moment of silence for the 85 victims of the 1994 attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association.
Six Iranians are wanted by Interpol in connection with the bombing, including Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi. Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman also has presented evidence that Iran has infiltrated several South American countries through the installation of intelligence cells.
Brazilian Jack Terpins, president of the Latin American branch of WJC – the Latin American Jewish Congress, also pointed out in the letter obtained by JTA, set to be delivered on Friday, that this year is the twentieth anniversary of the AMIA tragedy. The letter also is signed by the congress’ Vice President Saul Gilvich of Uruguay.
The Latin American Jewish Congress “sees a unique opportunity for the sport to promote peace, dialogue and respect among peoples and nations. We believe in the enormous social and cultural influence of the FIFA World Cup around the world and more specifically in Latin America, and therefore we suggest that FIFA promote, at the start of this match, a moment’s silence in memory of the victims of this attack.”
The match between Iran and Argentina is scheduled for June 21.
The letter to the FIFA president also says that: “Many of the spectators and players of the matches are not old enough to be aware of the atrocity of this attack. We believe that it is for the youth and the sport to demonstrate that everyone should be against terrorism. We are sure that such an act of solidarity with the victims of terror will encourage the population of the two countries, as well as the entire world’s population, to see in football and the World Cup a true field of respect, tolerance and dialogue against terrorism and racism.”
There is also an initiative on Facebook by Brazilian youth to hold a moment silence for AMIA victims before the start of the match.
“I will travel from Argentina to Brazil to see only one match, the match against Iran,” Fabio Kornblau, a former member of the AMIA board in charge of the youth department. “Of course I am in favor of one moment of silence. I also want to bring to this match an Israeli flag, to spread a stronger message in favor of the Jewish people, but I’m not sure, for security reasons,” he added.
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