Argentina sees persistently high antisemitic incidents in 2025 amid Middle East tensions

The report also documented 48 antisemitic attacks in public spaces, highlighting that anti-Jewish hostility continues to extend beyond the digital sphere into everyday life.

By Ailin Vilches Arguello, The Algemeiner

Argentina experienced persistently high levels of reported antisemitic incidents last year, as conflicts and escalating tensions in the Middle East fueled a wave of anti-Jewish hate crimes, according to a new report unveiled by the country’s main Jewish umbrella organization.

Last week, the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA) released its 2025 Annual Report on Antisemitism, documenting 713 anti-Jewish hate crimes—up from 687 antisemitic incidents in 2024 — underscoring the continued rise of antisemitic activity across the country.

With an average of nearly two antisemitic incidents per day in 2025, this latest figure represents a 3.78 percent increase compared to the previous year and an almost 20 percent rise from the 598 incidents recorded in 2023.

“Combating antisemitism is about more than exposing hatred. It means ensuring that the Jewish community can freely live its identity, strengthen its institutions, pass on its values, and contribute openly to a diverse, democratic, and pluralistic society,” DAIA President Mauro Berenstein said in a statement.

Among the reported incidents, 62 percent occurred online, with social media accounting for 90 percent of those cases amid a growing spread of antisemitic content, including pro-Nazi propaganda, Holocaust denial, racist rhetoric, and other forms of hate speech.

The report also documented 48 antisemitic attacks in public spaces, highlighting that anti-Jewish hostility continues to extend beyond the digital sphere into everyday life.

The report explains that this trend was heavily shaped by international developments, noting that the Hamas-led invasion and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, along with escalating tensions surrounding the war with Iran, triggered a sharp rise in antisemitic expressions.

Following the Gaza ceasefire in October, the local Jewish community appeared to experience a notable shift in conditions, with recorded antisemitic incidents showing a marked decline beginning that month.

“These figures point to persistent challenges as well as emerging threats,” Berenstein said.

“They also demonstrate that when strong institutions, responsible democratic leadership, committed communities, and a society that values coexistence come together, the spread of hatred can be contained.”

He also praised the Argentine government for its continued efforts to combat antisemitism, saying the country remains one of the few places in the world where Jews can openly live every aspect of their identity.

“A thriving Jewish life does not happen by chance,” he said. “It is built through strong institutions, an engaged community, a society committed to coexistence, and the collective determination to confront hatred with education, truth, and respect.”

Víctor Garelik, DAIA’s executive director, also praised the joint efforts of Jewish organizations and Argentine authorities to strengthen education, raise public awareness, and expand initiatives aimed at preventing and combating antisemitism.

“We live in a world where hate speech spreads at extraordinary speed, distorting reality and normalizing discrimination,” Garelik said in a statement.

“DAIA remains vigilant by documenting these incidents, providing reliable information, and reporting acts that threaten the security of Argentina’s Jewish community, its members, and its institutions.”

Under an expanded national effort to combat online antisemitism, DAIA has launched a joint initiative with the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) and the Latin American Jewish Congress to develop a practical guide for identifying and countering antisemitic content online.

With collaboration from Argentina’s Ministry of Education, the organization has also enrolled more than 10,600 teachers in its educational programs, which provide official certification credits.