Israeli Official Announces AMIA Memorial in Binyamin
A new site in the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council will honor the 85 victims of the 1994 Buenos Aires attack.
By Tomas Rahman ·
The Jewish community in Argentina suffered a devastating loss on July 18, 1994, when a massive explosion destroyed the AMIA building in Buenos Aires. That event killed 85 people and left the structure in ruins. Thirty-two years later, Israeli officials have announced plans to build a memorial in Israel to commemorate those victims.
The new memorial site will be located in the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. Israeli politician Ganz made the announcement during a visit to South America. He traveled to Argentina to meet with President Javier Milei and to strengthen ties with the local Jewish community. During his stay, Ganz visited the rebuilt AMIA center and participated in a commemorative ceremony.
At the memorial, Ganz lit a candle and recited Psalms. He then met with the president of AMIA. The two men issued a joint statement confirming the initiative to establish the memorial in Binyamin. The site is intended to reflect the connection between the Jewish community in Argentina and the settlements in Judea and Samaria. Officials are exploring the possibility of incorporating stones from the original 1994 building into the new structure.
The original AMIA building was completely destroyed by the blast. Investigators believe the attack was carried out by Iran-backed Hezbollah. A new building was constructed in the same location and opened in 1999. It continues to serve as a center for Jewish communal life in Argentina. Two stones recovered from the wreckage of the first building were preserved in the new structure.
Ganz described the visit as a moment of deep connection with the local community. He stated that the Jewish people form one family, even when separated by thousands of kilometers. "We came here to tell our brothers and sisters in Argentina: You are not alone," he said. He emphasized that the community has rebuilt its home after one of the worst terrorist attacks experienced by the Jewish people.
The AMIA president, Armoza, welcomed the initiative. He described it as a pleasure to host Ganz. Armoza noted that the visit provides confidence in Israel's commitment to securing its territory and upholding Jewish values. He pledged to work determinedly to advance cooperation between the two communities. The memorial will ensure that the memory of the 85 murdered individuals has a permanent place in Binyamin.
Ganz stated that the response to terrorism remains consistent. "We will not surrender to terrorism, and we will not allow our enemies to determine our future," he said. He added that Israel will continue to build settlements and strengthen Jewish communities. The two leaders agreed that the memory of the victims would not remain only in Buenos Aires but would also be honored in the heart of Binyamin.
