Uruguay probes for suspects in Holocaust memorial attack

BUENOS AIRES, May 18 (JTA) — Uruguayan security officials are investigating an arson attack against a Holocaust memorial in the capital of Montevideo. A letter left at the site by a group calling itself the Eastern Special Command said, “All Jews must leave Uruguay at once or they will be exterminated.” The attack, which caused little damage, took place May 8, but was only made public on Sunday. “This attack is not an act of terrorism but our way to fight Jews, Communists, Anarchists and any other negative element in our country,” the letter said. Uruguay, with a Jewish population of some 32,500, is virtually free of anti-Semitic violence.
Authorities in Uruguay said they were “amazed” by the attack.