Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Argentine Political Party Demands Action Against Anti-semitic Groups

August 5, 1964
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

A delegation representing the Democratic Progressive Party, a small, right-wing Socialist group, met with President Arturo Illia here today and gave him a memorandum concerning anti-Semitic activities in this country. The delegation then held a press conference during which stiff Government action against anti-Semitic groups and hatemongering activities was demanded.

The delegation, headed by the general secretary of the party’s metropolitan section, Andrew Caamano, said the President turned over the information they gave him to the Minister of the Interior. At the press conference they charged that a campaign is under way in this country “artificially creating anti-Semitism.” They said they demanded that the Government immediately take the following actions:

“1. Implement the 1963 decree, banning the Tacuara and Guardia Restauradora Nacionalista, two outstanding anti-Semitic groups, as well as other dangerous organizations.

“2. Punish members of the armed forces who carry on hate campaigns.” (This item was linked to Brig. Gen. Gilberto Hidalgo Oliva, a retired Air Force officer, who has been prominently identified in this country with anti-Semitic movements.)

“3. Immediate expulsion from this country of Hussein Triki, representative of the Arab League in Argentina, and banning the Journal Nacion Arabe, a hate sheet edited by Triki, for its anti-Semitic incitements.

“4. Warn all foreign ambassadors in Argentina against interfering in this country’s national affairs.

“5. Stiffening the penal code so as to make possible the punishment of hatemongers.”

Meanwhile, today, a statement issued by the Christian-Jewish Confraternity Association declared that “anti-Semitism in our country seems to follow a deliberate purpose–to create a climate of fear and to promote actions whose nature is not quite clear.” Efforts are being made here, the statement continued, “to bring Middle East problems here and to confuse Judaism with Zionism or to confuse the Jewish people with the Israeli people.” The statement was signed by the Rev. Adam Sosa, a leading Protestant clergyman here, and by Grand Rabbi Guillermo Schlesinger of the Congregacio Israelita.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement