New York, NY, July 17, 2016 … Experts from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will be participating in the upcoming First Global Forum Against Anti-Semitism in Latin America where they will be offering their expertise on a number of critical issues, including combating the rising tide of anti-Semitism and best practices in tackling cyberhate.
The forum, which begins today in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will address anti-Semitism in Latin America with discussions focusing on education, legislation and interfaith dialogue. ADL representatives will participate in a panel discussion on the spread of anti-Semitism online. The League’s resources, which have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese, will also be presented during a session on identifying and opposing cyberhate and community safety online.
“We are very much looking forward to continue working with our counterparts in Latin America to not only offer our expertise and experiences in fighting back against anti-Semitism, but also to brainstorm best practices in ensuring Jewish communal security,” said Sonia Spar, ADL Coordinator for Latino/Hispanic Community Relations and Latin America. “Our polling across the Americas shows the pervasive nature of anti-Semitic attitudes, and certainly warrants this type of gathering of key communal leaders.”
“One of our main goals for being on the ground in Buenos Aires will be to devise an action plan for developing a coordinated Latin American approach to countering hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism in the region,” said Jonathan Vick, ADL Assistant Director for Cyberhate Response. “With the advent of various social media platforms, and the volume of pernicious content, no continent is immune to the growing phenomenon of online hate. Everyone has a role to play.”
Mr. Vick and Ms. Spar will also be conducting a cyberhate/cybersafety training to experts and directors from various Latin American Jewish communities.
While in Argentina, on July 18, the League will commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 terror attack on the Argentinian Jewish community building (AMIA/DAIA) in Buenos Aires, where 85 were killed and hundreds injured. The AMIA/DAIA bombings represent the deadliest terrorist attack in the country, which is home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America.
The forum is coordinated by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the World Jewish Congress in Latin America, the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition and the Latin American Chapter of Israel’s Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism.
A recent ADL poll in 100 countries found high levels of anti-Semitic attitudes among those surveyed across the Americas.