Argentina’s Chief Rabbi Gabriel Davidovich was brutally attacked by unknown assailants Monday night, according to the local Jewish community in Buenos Aires.
According to the report, the assailants entered the chief rabbi’s home at night, shouting, “We know you are the AMIA rabbi,” and began attacking him while his wife, who had been tied up, looked on.
AMIA stands for Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina, the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires. On July 18, 1994, the center was bombed by Iranian agents, killing 85 people and injuring hundreds.
It was reported that Rabbi Davidovich’s assailants took valuables and money and fled the scene.
The Jewish community center said in a statement: “The community is with Rabbi Davidovich at this difficult moment and hopes for his speedy recovery.”
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett on Tuesday morning issued the following response:
“This terrible attack on the chief rabbi in Argentina must be condemned by everyone. All our thoughts and prayers are with Rabbi Davidovich for his full and speedy recovery – but thoughts and prayers are not enough. Enough is enough – it is time for action.
“Today the leaders of the world in Europe, in South America, all over are failing in their responsibility to learn the lessons of the past. But unlike the past, today we have Israel, and every Jew around the world must know they have a home here, we are waiting.
“But for Jews who want to live in Argentina, or France, or England, or the US or anywhere, we are also here. We will stand up against Antisemitism. A strong Israel is the only answer – our enemies should know, Jewish blood is not cheap.
“I call on Argentina’s government to make a very clear stand in words and actions – the criminals who did this must be found and brought to justice.”