New York, NY, March 9, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed horror over a suspected anti-Semitic murder of a Jewish merchant in Uruguay, and called for the suspect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
According to reports, 54 year-old David Fremd, a Jewish merchant who was active in the Paysandú Jewish community, was stabbed various times in the back when he was about to cross the street in Paysandú, a city in Uruguay’s interior. He later died in hospital. His son, who was with him and tried to defend him, was also injured. Abdullah Omar, the perpetrator who has a criminal record, shouted “Allah akbar” while attacking Mr. Fremd. Mr. Omar was immediately arrested and will be brought to court today.
“From what we have learned from the Uruguayan Jewish community, and given the nature of the incident, this attack appears to be a clear case of anti-Semitism,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “We call on Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez to condemn this act of hate and for the authorities to swiftly investigate this incident and prosecute Mr. Omar to the fullest extent of the law.
“President Vázquez must ensure the security and well-being of the Jewish community of Uruguay, as many may feel highly vulnerable in the wake of such a horror,” Mr. Greenblatt said. “We express strong solidarity with the Uruguayan Jewish community in the aftermath of this horrific attack.”
A recent ADL poll in 100 countries found that 33 percent of those surveyed in Uruguay harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.
Updated: March 09, 2016
President Tabaré Vázquez condemned the incident and expressed his condolonces to Sergio Gorzy, President of the Jewish community of Uruguay.