A prominent Argentine military leader, Gen. Diego Enrique Perkins, joined the DAIA in denouncing anti-Semitism in a television series recently broadcast here. The programs, titled “Round the World With Argentinean Eyes” focussed on visits to Arab countries. Perkins characterized them as crude anti-Semitism, inciting to religious and racial hatred contrary to Argentine traditions.
The last two programs in the series, dealing with Syria and Libya, contained especially virulent anti-Israel sentiments. The Syrian Ambassador to Argentina, Jawdat Atassi, who participated in the series, is regarded as the leading Jew-baiter of the Arab diplomatic corps here. Other participants included Sen. Filipe Sapag, an Argentine of Arab origin; Jesus Hernandez, a priest of the Orthodox Antiochan Church who attacked the Jewish religion; Prof. Margarita Abram; and commentator Llamas de Madriaga who attacked Israel for allegedly destroying the Syrian town of Kuneitra on the Golan Heights.
The DAIA, the central representative body of Argentine Jewry, complained about the repeated use of the mass media by foreign diplomats who exceed their diplomatic prerogatives by injecting foreign problems into the local scene, predicated on anti-Semitism and the strategy of the Arab oil producing countries.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
