Marina Rosenberg
The attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, had profound and far-reaching effects on Israelis, Jewish communities around the world and many others. Across Latin American, several Jewish communities faced a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, diverse government responses, and escalating security concerns. The aftermath of this attack has not only exposed the vulnerability of Jewish populations in the region but has also highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics that influence the safety and well-being of these communities.
In addition, the presence of the Iranian-regime back Hezbollah terrorist organization in the region further exacerbates these tensions, posing a direct threat to Jewish communities. The dismantling of Islamic terrorist cells in Argentina and Brazil underscores the severity of the threat, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.
Historically, antisemitism in Latin America tends to spike during conflicts in Israel and the Middle East, though not to the same degree as in other regions. In Latin America, these incidents are generally confined to acts of vandalism, isolated acts of violence, and a significant rise in online hate speech and media disinformation. Unlike Europe and the US, where antisemitic attacks can be more frequent and severe, Latin American antisemitism manifests primarily in graffiti, harassment, and biased governments and media coverage. Social media platforms become hotbeds for spreading antisemitic rhetoric, often fueled by disinformation, misinformation and anti-Zionist narratives promoted by certain regional media outlets.
Rising Antisemitism: A Disturbing Trend
The surge in antisemitism across Latin America following the Hamas October 7 attack is deeply worrisome. Countries like Brazil, Argentina and Chile have seen a significant increase in antisemitic vandalism, harassment, online hate speech, and even threats against Jewish institutions.
The most egregious examples include violent protests outside Jewish institutions in Chile, which involved antisemitic rhetoric. In Uruguay, during the annual International Women’s March, a group of women and girls marched showcasing an antisemitic puppet marked with a Star of David and pierced by a spear. In Brazil, there was a verbal and physical attack on a Jewish store owner, and in Mexico City there were attempts to set the Israeli embassy on fire.
Argentina experienced a 44% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas de Argentina (DAIA). 57% of the incidents reported in 2023 occurred during the October-December period. 65% of antisemitic incidents occurred online and 35% in person, a sharp increase from 2022 when only 19% of the antisemitic cases occurred in person.
In Brazil, CONIB reported that between October 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, there were 1,119 reports, an increase of 800% compared to 125 incidents reported during the same period in 2022.
In Mexico, mentions of the conflict in social media skyrocketed after October 7th, rising from an average of 13,000 daily mentions before October 7th, to 171,000 per day after the attack, with 28% of these mentions being negative with antisemitic undertones.
These figures underscore the severity of the spike in antisemitism in the region, exacerbated by protests and online hate speech targeting Jewish communities and institutions.
Government Responses: A Mixed Bag
The responses of Latin American governments to the October 7 attack and the subsequent rise in antisemitism have been varied and, in some cases, deeply troubling. Countries like Colombia and Bolivia have taken provocative stances, severing diplomatic ties with Israel and, in the case of Colombia, even fueling antisemitic rhetoric through inflammatory statements by President Gustavo Petro. Likewise, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, whose country severed ties with Israel in 2009, has made incendiary remarks against Israel and Zionists. These actions have left Jewish communities feeling vulnerable and mourning the loss of their countries' traditional closeness with Israel, their ancestral homeland.
Brazil, Chile, and Mexico have shown less support for Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, often aligning with international efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state. Even as few of these countries’ citizens were fatal victims or were taken as hostages by Hamas, these nations’ governments have backed measures in international legal forums, notably those spearheaded by South Africa, aimed at isolating Israel on the global stage. Brazil, under President Lula, has taken a more critical stance on Israeli policies, while Chile's government, led by President Gabriel Boric, has been openly hostile, recalling its ambassador from Israel and pursuing accusations of war crimes against Israel in international courts. Mexico, traditionally more neutral, has also shifted towards supporting anti-Israel resolutions, reflecting a broader regional trend of distancing from Israel and aligning with movements that challenge its legitimacy in global institutions.
Peru and El Salvador condemned Hamas for the October 7th attack, but their responses have since become more neutral and lukewarm. Initially aligned with global condemnation, both countries have avoided taking strong pro-Israel positions as the conflict continued. In contrast, Ecuador showed more active support, with its Foreign Minister visiting Israel amidst the war in September 2024.
On the other hand, the governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay, have taken a more supportive approach, maintaining (and even strengthening) diplomatic relations with Israel while enhancing security around Jewish institutions. These countries have recognized the seriousness of the threat and have acted swiftly to protect their Jewish citizens. However, the overall landscape remains precarious, with the actions of some governments contributing to a hostile environment for Jewish communities in the region.
The Role of Disinformation: HispanTV's Influence
The spread of antisemitic and anti-Israel disinformation by media outlets like HispanTV has played a nefarious role in shaping public opinion and inciting antisemitism in Latin America. This Iranian-backed Spanish-language channel has been a prominent platform for promoting anti-Zionist narratives, directly contributing to the rise of antisemitic sentiment across the region. The influence of such media outlets cannot be underestimated, as they fuel hostility towards Jewish communities and severely harm efforts to combat antisemitism.
Security Concerns: The Growing Threat of Terrorism
In addition to the rise in antisemitism, Jewish communities in Latin America face a significant threat from Islamist terrorist networks, particularly Hezbollah. The presence of these networks in the Tri-Border Area between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay poses a direct threat to Jewish institutions. The successful dismantling of an Islamic terrorist cell in Mendoza, Argentina, in August 2024 and a Brazilian cell in November 2023 is a stark reminder of the immediate risk these groups pose. While this operation prevented further attacks, the existence of such networks remains a pressing security concern for both local governments and Jewish communities.
Community Resilience: A Call for Vigilance and Cooperation
Despite these challenges, Jewish communities across Latin America have shown resilience. They have organized public awareness campaigns, worked closely with local governments to enhance security, and taken proactive measures to protect themselves. However, the long-term effects of this rising antisemitism and the broader geopolitical landscape remain uncertain. The situation calls for continued vigilance, cooperation between Jewish communities and authorities, and proactive measures to safeguard the future of Jewish life in Latin America.
Conclusion
The October 7, 2023, attack on Israel has had a deep effect on Jewish communities in Latin America, causing a rise in antisemitism, diplomatic tensions, and increasing security risks. Regional governments have responded in varied ways—some offering protection, while others have worsened the situation with negative provocative actions and rhetoric. Disinformation and Islamist terrorist networks, including those funded by and backed by the Iranian-regime, add to the complexity, making the safety of Jewish communities a critical issue.
While Jewish communities must stay alert and collaborate with authorities to safeguard their security, Latin American governments must do more to ensure their Jewish communities are better protected and antisemitism is addressed in a more meaningful way. This includes adopting the IHRA definition, declaring Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations, investigating the links between HispanTV and sanctioned Iranian regime entities and officials, and designating HispanTV as a foreign state influence operation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Furthermore, governments must integrate comprehensive educational programs that highlight both the rich history of local Jewish communities and the Holocaust, which will contribute towards promoting cultural and religious awareness, dispelling ignorance and hate, and fostering understanding and respect.
Failure on the part of Latin American governments to take concrete steps aimed at seriously addressing issues of antisemitism will likely have broad implications beyond the Jewish community, adversely impacting many aspects of society and beyond.