The disciplinary tribunal for judges within Argentina’s Council of Magistracy has decided to remove federal judge Alfredo López from office following a series of posts he published on X that were deemed antisemitic and discriminatory toward the Jewish community, local media reported.
According to the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism, or FACA, the decision issued on Tuesday marks a historic precedent: It is the first time a judge in Argentina has been removed from office over antisemitic conduct.
Proceedings against López were launched following complaints filed in March 2025 by FACA and other civil society organizations over posts attributed to him. Among other things, the judge used derogatory terms for Jews, compared them to “rats” and a “brood of vipers” and questioned the loyalty of Jewish citizens to Argentina. The forum argued that the remarks reflected a recurring pattern of antisemitic statements rather than an isolated incident.
Argentine federal judge Alfredo López
(Photo: From social networks)
López, who served as a federal judge in Mar del Plata, defended himself during the proceedings by claiming he was the victim of “ideological persecution” and invoking freedom of expression. The tribunal, however, which is made up of judges, lawyers, members of the Chamber of Deputies and senators, ruled that his conduct amounted to “poor performance” warranting his removal.
According to the decision, López’s remarks were not “one-off outbursts” but repeated “offensive expressions” directed at an entire community, constituting a serious ethical violation. The tribunal also found that his online statements incited “symbolic violence” aimed at the “subjugation and discrimination” of the Jewish community.
López was tried over the content of 15 posts, while the prosecution presented several of roughly 40 tweets that formed the basis of the decision by the accusations committee. The complaints alleged a “pattern of hostility toward Jews, Zionism and Israel.”
After the accusations committee issued its decision, López submitted his resignation, but the government did not accept it. The full Council of Magistracy, headed by Supreme Court president and council chairman Horacio Rosatti, later decided to refer him for impeachment proceedings.
FACA welcomed the decision. “Between hatred and coexistence, the Council of Magistracy chose coexistence. Between intolerance and peace, it chose peace,” the forum said.