THE Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday wished a speedy recovery to the Chief Rabbi of Argentina, who was violently attacked in his home in Buenos Aires during the night of Sunday to Monday.

Argentina’s AMIA Jewish community centre said in a statement that the unknown assailants shouted at Rabbi Gabriel Davidovich, “We know you are the rabbi of AMIA,’’ before beating him.

His wife was also with him during the attack and was subdued by the attackers, according to the AMIA statement.

The perpetrators then robbed the couple of money and belongings.

The rabbi was seriously injured and was hospitalised at a medical centre in the city centre.

“With extreme consternation, the institution demands the immediate and total clarification of the incident and expresses its deep uneasiness over the expressions that the criminals made before attacking the Chief Rabbi, which constitute, without a doubt, cause for alarm,’’ the AMIA statement said.

Netanyahu said: “We must not let anti-Semitism rear its head. I strongly condemn the recent acts of anti-Semitism and call on the international community to take action against it.’’

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) also expressed concern over the incident, saying it was “shocked and incenced by the brutal attack.’’

WJC CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer said in a statement on Monday: “It is not yet clear whether this was a targeted crime of hateful anti-Semitism or a barbaric criminal act.

“But we trust that the authorities will continue to do everything in their power to determine the motive and bring the perpetrators to justice.’’ (dpa/NAN)

– Feb. 26, 2019 @ 12:55 GMT |