Argentine Jews boycott local Holocaust Day ceremony
Groups gather for ceremony at Jewish community center that was bombed in 1994 in protest of mysterious death of Jewish prosecutor investigating alleged Iranian-linked cover up.
Jewish groups boycotted the Argentine government's Holocaust Day commemoration Tuesday in protest over the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, while skepticism grew over Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's plan to reform intelligence services that she has suggested were behind the prosecutor's death.
The annual commemoration, which is normally co-hosted by the government and several Jewish groups, was held Tuesday night at the Foreign Ministry. A government statement said a representative of the Israeli Embassy attended the official event.
But it was shunned by local Jewish leaders. Earlier in the day, about 500 people gathered for a ceremony at a Jewish community center that was bombed in 1994, killing 85 and injuring more than 200. Nisman was investigating that attack and had accused the president of plotting to shield Iranian officials blamed for the car bombing.
Related stories:
- Journalist who reported Nisman's death lands in Israel
- Argentina suspects rogue agents were behind death of prosecutor
- Argentine president seeks overhaul of intelligence services
"In honor of the victims, we are not going to share a table with those who don't give us the truth, much less justice," Mario Comisarenco, treasurer of the Delegation of Jewish-Argentine Associations, said during a ceremony that involved prayer and lighting candles.
Nisman was found shot dead Jan. 18, the day before he was to testify before Congress to elaborate on his accusations that Fernández de Kirchner helped Iran's government cover up its alleged involvement in the attack in exchange for favorable economic deals. Iran has repeatedly denied any role in the attack, and Fernández de Kirchner rejected Nisman's charges.
She said that only a few government officials would have access to the heads of a new "Federal Intelligence Agency," apparently a critique of a system where many in Congress have contact with intelligence officials.
Opposition leaders rejected her proposal, and noted Fernández de Kirchner already has oversight of the country's spy agencies.
"The Intelligence Department is not going to change with a modification of its name," said Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, who is considered a leading potential presidential contender for October elections. "The change will happen if power is exercised differently."
In her speech, Fernández de Kirchner did not say who killed Nisman, but suggested rogue intelligence agents might have orchestrated his death in a plot against her government.
Nisman's death has particular resonance in the Jewish community, one of the largest outside Israel. Many fear his death makes it less likely that families of bombing victims will ever get justice.
While government officials had previously labeled Nisman's allegations of a cover-up as absurd, Fernández de Kirchner's speech was the first time she took them on directly.
"It's unreasonable to think our government could even be suspected of such a maneuver," Fernández de Kirchner said while sitting in a wheelchair because of a broken ankle.
Nisman's death has produced anti-government protests and myriad conspiracy theories, ranging from suicide to the involvement of Iranian intelligence agents.
Fernández de Kirchner noted in her speech that her predecessor at president, her late husband Nestor Kirchner, appointed Nisman to the case after years of paralysis.
Authorities said that Nisman's remains will be handed over to his family on Wednesday and buried on Thursday.
