AMIA bombing commemorated on 25th anniversary

 Twenty-five years ago, on 18 July, just before 10am, a car bomb destroyed the Buenos Aires AMIA Jewish centre, killing 85 people and injuring more than 300.

Last week, commemorations took place throughout Argentina and across the world on the 25th anniversary of the devastating bombing.

Despite furious condemnation by Argentina and Israel, no perpetrators have been brought to justice. Both countries have blamed Iran, implicating former Iranian officials and Hezbollah in the attack.

Each year, to mark the anniversary, there is a march in front of the rebuilt AMIA building, after a public siren call. This year, at exactly 9.53am, the sirens of every Buenos Aires ambulance, police car and fire engine, also sounded.

Commemoration ceremonies were held in 17 Argentinian cities and the country’s president, Mauricio Macri, launched a book containing 25 essays on terrorism from global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The US vice-president took part in a Western Hemisphere antiterrorism summit and visited the rebuilt AMIA building to pay tribute to the victims.

More than 20 Argentinian embassies throughout the world also held commemoration ceremonies at the initiative of the Latin American Jewish Congress — the regional branch of the World Jewish Congress — and Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.