Seven Arrested in Argentina on Charges of 'Planning Attack on Jewish Community'

The Federal Police of Argentina identified and arrested members of a 'terrorist cell' that had 'planned' an attack on the Jewish community in the country. According to Reuters, the Argentine Ministry of National Security announced this news on Saturday, August 27, stating that the Federal Police considers the identified group to be an 'Islamic terrorist organization.' Israel's Channel 12 reported, citing local officials in Argentina, that police arrested seven 'saboteurs' who were 'fleeing Argentina.' The report indicated that these individuals had previously expressed 'solidarity' with ISIS and the Taliban on social media. The suspects were arrested after a complaint was filed by Israeli organizations active in Argentina, as they had threatened a Jewish journalist. Investigations surrounding the threat against this Argentine Jewish journalist reportedly uncovered the suspects' social media contacts for planning an attack. A significant amount of weapons was found during searches of the detainees' homes. Patricia Bullrich, Argentina's Minister of National Security, wrote on social media on Saturday: 'We will rid ourselves of each and every one of these criminals who intend to create terror among the people of Argentina, and they will pay the necessary price.' She labeled the arrested group as 'radical Islamic terrorists.' Bullrich also published a video of the counter-terrorism unit's presence during the searches and arrests of the suspects. Three Syrian and Lebanese citizens residing in Argentina were also identified and arrested seven months ago on suspicion of planning and preparing for a 'terrorist attack' against Jews in the Mendoza region of Argentina. They were arrested before a major sporting event for Jews in the country. Javier Milei, calling the Iranian government 'terrorist,' promised to deliver justice in the AMIA case. Argentina has the largest Jewish population among Latin American countries. The bombing 30 years ago at the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, killed 85 people, injured hundreds, and turned the seven-story community center into a pile of rubble. Most of the dead and injured were Christian Argentines. The attack on the AMIA center is recorded as the deadliest event in Argentine history, with many former Argentine officials pointing fingers at the Iranian government for its orchestration. They emphasized that Hezbollah was responsible for executing Iran's plan. The Argentine Supreme Criminal Court deemed the Iranian government the instigator of the bombing this spring, stating that the order for it was part of the Iranian government's political and strategic actions in collaboration with Hezbollah against Israel. Israel insists that the explosion 32 years ago at the Israeli embassy building in Buenos Aires was also the work of the Iranian government, an accusation that Iran has always denied, and Argentine judicial officials have not substantiated. Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, who is a supporter of his country's Jewish community and also pro-Israel, announced last month during a memorial ceremony for the AMIA bombing victims that he would strengthen Argentina's national intelligence agency to prevent potential future attacks. He also promised to resume investigations into that bombing, which has been stalled for three decades, to uncover the truth. Milei stated that he would hold Iranian officials accountable for their role in the AMIA bombing. Tehran has denied any connection to this deadly event for three decades and claims innocence. Survivors of that bombing stated that this year's court ruling against the 'terrorist government' of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided the basis for their complaint against Tehran at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.