On Monday, the U.S. House passed U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch’s, D-Fla., resolution honoring the victims of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires and calling for action against Hezbollah and Iran who were behind the attack which killed 85 people.
Deutch, the chairman of the U.S. House Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism Subcommittee, brought out the resolution last month. Among the cosponsors were U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla.
On Monday, Deutch took to the House floor to weigh in on why he had brought out the resolution.
“In the 25 years since the attack, the investigations into the AMIA bombing have been marked by long delays and by judicial misconduct, failing thus far to bring justice for the victims, their families, and their community,” Deutch added. “Considerable evidence has linked this heinous attack to the terrorist group Hezbollah and its sponsor the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite warrants issued by the Argentinian justice system for Iranian and Lebanese nationals thought to be involved in the attacks, and their addition on INTERPOL’s most wanted lists, Iranian and Hezbollah operatives have yet to face accountability for their actions. We encourage all responsible nations to not allow the perpetrators of this attack to continue to escape justice.
“After the previous president of Argentina worked to prevent Iran from being held accountable, prosecutor Alberto Nisman heroically proceeded investigating this bombing, shedding light on the alarming and growing partnership between leaders in Iran and Argentina,” Deutch continued."Just one day before he was scheduled to present his latest findings, Alberto Nisman was found dead in his home with a fatal gun shot wound to the head. We are grateful that President Macri’s government has continued to push for Iranian accountability, and I would like to acknowledge the ambassador of Argentina who is in the gallery with us today. Twenty-five years later, Iranian-backed Hezbollah continues to carry out terror operations. Twenty-five years later, anti-Semitism continues to threaten the lives of Jewish communities throughout Latin America, around the world, and even here in the United States. With this vote, Congress honors the victims of this horrific attack, recalls the brave work by Alberto Nisman who lost his life pursuing justice, and calls for full accountability for those responsible. It has been far too long.”
Deutch thanked his cosponsors and urged his colleagues to continue standing against terror and anti-Semitism. The House passed the resolution on a voice vote.
