Argentine authorities have declared a countrywide alert against a possible terrorist attack by members of the Islamic fundamentalist Hezbollah movement.
The government here said Tuesday it was “alarmed” after the Shi’ite movement announced that it would attack Jewish targets worldwide in revenge for Israel’s current bombing campaign in Lebanon.
Ruben Beraja, president of the Argentine Jewish umbrella organization DAIA, met with Argentine Interior Minister Carlos Vladimiro Corach to discuss special security measures for Jewish institutions and schools.
“The minister gave me full assurances and ordered extra police personnel on duty to guard Jewish sites,” Beraja said.
Israel’s ambassador to Argentina, Itzhak Aviran, said, “Hezbollah is attacking the peace process, and if it cannot bomb northern Israel it will bomb Jewish targets elsewhere.”
Also, security at Israeli embassies and other Jewish sites in Europe has reportedly been increased because of the Hezbollah threat.
On Monday, Hezbollah deputy leader Sheik Naim Qassem issued a warning to Jews worldwide, saying, “Let them take precautions and measures and let them know they are in danger anywhere and at any time.”
American Jewish groups reportedly went on alert as a result of the threat, but did not specify what steps were being taken.
On April 11, Israel launched a bombing campaign in Lebanon, Operation Grapes of Wrath, to retaliate for recent Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israeli communities.
Israel and Argentina have accused Hezbollah of carrying out two terror attacks in Buenos Aires: the March 17, 1992, bombing of the Israeli Embassy, which killed 29 people and left more than 100 injured, and the July 18, 1994, bombing of the Jewish headquarters, which claimed 86 lives and left more than 300 wounded.
Argentina has come under pressure at home and abroad for its inability to locate those responsible for those attacks.
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