NEW YORK (WJC)–The Latin American branch of the World Jewish Congress is urging the international soccer governing body FIFA to keep one minute’s silence in honor of the victims of the AMIA terrorist attack before the match between Argentina and Iran at the World Cup in Brazil.
In a letter sent to FIFA President Joseph Blatter, Latin American Jewish Congress President Jack Terpins pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the largest terrorist attack in the history of Latin America.
85 people were killed and hundreds wounded when a car bomb exploded in downtown Buenos Aires on 18 July 1994. Six Iranians are wanted by Interpol in connection with the bombing, including former Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi. Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman also has presented evidence that Iran has infiltrated several South American countries through the installation of intelligence cells.
In the letter to Blatter the Latin American Jewish Congress head says that “Many of the spectators and players of the matches are not old enough to be aware of the atrocity of this attack. We believe that it is for the youth and the sport to demonstrate that everyone should be against terrorism. We are sure that such an act of solidarity with the victims of terror will encourage the population of the two countries, as well as the entire world’s population, to see in football and the World Cup a true field of respect, tolerance and dialogue against terrorism and racism.”
The match between Iran and Argentina is scheduled for 21 June. There is also an initiative on Facebook by Brazilian youth to hold a moment silence for AMIA victims before the start of the match.
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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress
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