Fire at Torres del Paine National Park
Photo: AFP
Anti-Semitism in wake of Chile fire decried
In letter to Chilean Ambassador to US, B’nai B’rith International says blaming State of Israel or Jewish people as whole for alleged actions of tourist is 'absolutely unacceptable and irrational'
B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to Chilean Ambassador to the United States Arturo Fernandois, expressing “our grave concern over the outburst of anti-Semitic activity that has occurred in Chile after the arrest of a 23-year-old Israeli backpacker, who is suspected
of having accidentally ignited the fire of the Torres del Paine National Park.”
B’nai B’rith President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote, “Undoubtedly, the fire is a national tragedy, and we share the Chileans’ sorrow for this very unfortunate incident. But blaming the State of Israel
or the Jewish people as a whole for the ‘alleged’ actions of a tourist is absolutely unacceptable and irrational.”
Shocking Remarks
B’nai B’rith slams Holocaust denial, repudiation of Zionism by guest on state television
In the wake of the fire in Chile’s Patagonia region, the outburst of anti-Semitic attacks and charges included outrageous claims made by Chilean politicians.
The vice president of the Christian Democratic Party wrote on his Twitter account, “I bet that the Israeli ‘tourist’ that burned Torres del Paine is one of those sent by his State after killing Palestinian children.”
Taunts of “filthy Jew” were reportedly yelled as the suspect was escorted to court.
In the letter to the ambassador, B’nai B’rith calls on the democratic government of Chile to clearly denounce these malicious and shameful anti-Semitic and anti-Israel accusations.
