CHARGE SPEAKS WITH DAIA ON ANTI-SEMITISM ISSUE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002179 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV AR SUBJECT: CHARGE SPEAKS WITH DAIA ON ANTI-SEMITISM ISSUE ¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified, and not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) Charge spoke with the president of the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Association (DAIA) Jorge Kirszenbaum on September 22 to express the Embassy's solidarity with the local Jewish community over the recent reports of anti-Semitic graffiti in Buenos Aires. Argentine media reported on September 22 an additional 20 incidents during the night of anti-Semitic graffiti at five Jewish institutions in the upscale Palermo district of Buenos Aires. The Charge told Kirszenbaum that the Embassy was closely monitoring the reports and wanted to maintain contact with DAIA and other Jewish organizations regarding the incidents. ¶3. (SBU) Kirszenbaum thanked the Charge for his expression of support and said the situation was "under control." He said he had received similar calls of support this morning from Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez and Foreign Ministry Secretary of Religious Affairs Rodolfo Oliveri. Kirszenbaum SIPDIS said the government was "saying all the right things," but that DAIA was being proactive in publicly expressing its concerns over the anti-Semitic incidents. ¶4. (SBU) In addition to the graffiti, Kirszenbaum also expressed continuing concern over GoA links with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez given the latter's anti-Semitic remarks and his growing ties to Iran. He also noted recent demonstrations in Buenos Aires organized by the left-wing Quebracho group in defense of Hezbollah. (Note: Earlier this month, Quebracho militants blocked a march by DAIA and other Jewish groups on the Iranian Embassy in Buenos Aires. End Note.) ¶5. (SBU) Regarding the September 21 meeting in New York between Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and American Jewish groups, Kirszenbaum said his sources had described the meeting as "tense." Regarding the timing of the release of special prosecutor Alberto Nisman's report on the AMIA bombing, Kirszenbaum said it would be at least another month. He also expressed concern over the indictment this week of former DAIA president Ruben Beraja for his role in the alleged cover-up of illegal payments to witnesses in the failed prosecution case of the "local connection" to the AMIA bombing. MATERA