Argentina special prosecutor in Jewish community center bombing found dead of gunshot wound

At left, firefighters and rescue workers search through the rubble of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association community center, after a car bomb rocked the building in downtown Buenos Aires on July 18, 1994. At right, Alberto Nisman, the prosecutor investigating the bombing, talks to journalists in Buenos Aires in 2013. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

BUENOS AIRES –  A special prosecutor who had accused Argentine President Cristina Fernandez of ordering impunity for Iranian suspects in the South American country’s worst terrorist attack was found shot dead, authorities said Monday.

Alberto Nisman, who was set to testify Monday in a closed-door hearing, was found in the bathroom of his Buenos Aires apartment late Sunday, federal prosecutor Viviana Fein told Telam, Argentina’s official news agency.

“We can confirm that it was a gunshot wound, .22 caliber,” she said, adding that it was too early in the investigation to know what had happened.

Nisman had been appointed 10 years ago by Fernandez’s late husband, then President Nestor Kirchner, to investigate the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured more than 200. In 2013, Argentina and Iran reached an agreement to investigate the attack, which remains unsolved.

That year, Nisman released an indictment accusing Iran and Hezbollah of organizing the blast. Iran denies any involvement.

Last week, Nisman accused Fernandez and other senior Argentine officials of agreeing not to punish at least two former Iranian officials in the case. He asked a judge to call Fernandez and others, including Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, for questioning.

“The president and her foreign minister took the criminal decision to fabricate Iran’s innocence to sate Argentina’s commercial, political and geopolitical interests,” Nisman said last week.

Government officials called the prosecutor’s allegations ludicrous.

A federal judge had begun the process of deciding whether to hear the complaint and whether anyone should be summoned for questioning.

Late Sunday, federal police agents in charge of Nisman’s protection alerted their superiors that he wasn’t answering phone calls, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. When he also didn’t answer the door, they decided to alert family members, according to the statement.

When Nisman’s mother wasn’t able to open the door because a key was in the lock on the other side, a locksmith was called to open it, the ministry said. A .22 caliber handgun and a shell casing were found next to Nisman’s body.

View the original article here

Argentina special prosecutor in Jewish community center bombing found dead of gunshot wound

Maccabiah Games reinforce Jewish identity through sport

27 July 2013 Last updated at 19:13 ET By Bethany Bell, Jerusalem BBC News An easing of travel restrictions has allowed Cuban athletes to join the Maccabiah Games for the first time The Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, are taking place in Israel.

The contest, which takes place every four years, brings together Jewish athletes from around the world to take part in events from rugby to gymnastics, to cycling and rowing.

This year around 9,000 competitors from more than 70 countries are taking part in a competition that is as much about Jewish identity as sport.

This year, for the first time, a Cuban delegation is taking part – even though Cuba doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Israel. Sponsored by Jewish American donors, the players were helped by an easing on travel restrictions on groups leaving Havana. Rafael Gonzales, 24, who’s competing in archery, says he is proud to be in Israel.

“It is the first time Cuba is participating – it is very exciting,” he says. “It’s the best for us as athletes, as Jewish athletes.”

Continue reading the main story

It’s just fantastic as a Jewish athlete to meet other Jewish athletes from around the world”

End Quote David Letschert South African swimmer The first games, which were supported by early Zionist leaders, were held in 1932 when rising anti-Semitism in Europe made it hard for Jews to compete in big sporting events. At the second games in 1935, shortly after Hitler came to power, many athletes chose not to go back to Europe and settled here.

These days the games aim to encourage connections between Jews in the diaspora and Israel. The Chairman of the Maccabiah, Amir Peled, says the games try to bring Jews of all ages and nationalities together through sport.

“Sport is something that unites everybody,” he says. “If you come with the tool of sport, and add to it Jewish identity, add to it love for Israel, that’s the idea behind the Maccabiah.”

Age range

While winning is clearly important, many of the athletes agree that these games are as much about Jewish identity as elite sport.

The swimming races are a case in point, with a wide range of ages among the swimmers – the youngest are in their teens and the oldest in their 80s.

David Letschert, 42, a swimmer from South Africa, says the event is a big Jewish reunion.

“It’s just fantastic as a Jewish athlete to meet other Jewish athletes from around the world. I think it’s 75% socialising and 25% sport when you are a master swimmer and probably the other way around when you are a group swimmer.”

While a handful of Israeli Arabs take part in the games, this is an overwhelmingly Jewish event, something that the Israeli sports commentator Ron Kofman has criticised.

“If there is a sports event, everyone who wants to come should come,” Mr Kofman says. “It’s sport. There’s no room for religion or race in sports.”

But organisers say this is an opportunity to teach visitors from abroad about Israeli institutions – including the army.

And dating and matchmaking are also on the agenda. Amir Peled says the games offer plenty of chances for young and older Jews to get to know each other.

“Thousands of people are together. You meet Israelis and you meet people from other countries and if you get dates or marriages out of it, I can only be happy.”

Passionate cheering and the blast of vuvuzela – plastic horns – came from the stands as an Israeli girls’ football team took on South Africa, but despite the sporting rivalry, the organisers say strong Jewish links are forged on the pitch.

View the original article here

Maccabiah Games reinforce Jewish identity through sport