Economist Alejandro Bercovich recently expressed that political and economic interests shape the Argentine government’s relationship with Israel and the United States. He warned, “It’s dangerous for the future to associate Jews in Argentina with Milei,” while speaking on the show Modo Fontevecchia, aired on Net TV, Radio Perfil (AM 1190), and Radio Amadeus (FM 91.1).
Bercovich, a journalist and the host of “Pasaron cosas” on Radio Con Vos and “La ley de la selva” on C5N, has also directed a documentary titled “Fondo, otra vez la misma receta.” This film humorously explores the history of international organizations and their connection to Argentina. Additionally, he published a documentary called “Diciembre,” which examines the 2001 economic crisis from various viewpoints.
Recently, the DAIA criticized Bercovich for comments he made about the president of AMIA, particularly targeting a speech given at the event marking the 30th anniversary of the AMIA bombing. The DAIA’s strong response stated that his remarks mirrored the same type of terrorism that once plagued Argentina.
Journalism plays a crucial role in democracy, and this notion unsettles those who perceive themselves as the arbiters of truth, Bercovich noted. He discussed the intensity of the criticism he received, mentioning that he has consistently expressed his views over the past 36 hours.
Bercovich admitted he was not familiar with the president of AMIA but had previously interacted with the DAIA leader. He found it surprising, as he viewed the DAIA leader as someone who often opposed extremist viewpoints. He asserted that his intention was simply to provide a critical analysis of the speech made by AMIA on the tragic anniversary of a still unresolved crime.
Referring to the original speech, he remarked that it not only failed to honor the memory of the 85 victims adequately but also obscured the real issues related to that tragedy by incorporating current conflicts in the Middle East. He felt that this approach misdirected attention from identifying those responsible for the AMIA bombing and the subsequent cover-up.
According to Bercovich, the community has yet to receive satisfactory answers to their demands for justice. He criticized the way attempts to deflect blame targeted various sectors of society, including feminists, human rights organizations, and progressives, instead of addressing the real culprits. He pointed out that such narratives tend to align with the far-right’s usual targets.
He had never encountered a speech articulated in such a manner before and linked it to the ongoing public and online violence prevalent in Argentina’s current climate. The atmosphere is exacerbated by harsh remarks from those in power, including the president, contributing to a climate that stifles dissent.
Bercovich emphasized that his critique of the AMIA president’s speech was meant to highlight the violent rhetoric that is becoming prevalent in public discourse, a point he believes resonated with many, including his fellow Jewish peers who expressed their support for him amid the backlash.
He highlighted a disconnection between the DAIA and the broader Jewish community in Argentina. His view is that the DAIA reflects only a small segment of the elite Jewish population, rather than the community as a whole. He pointed to support he received from popular Jewish comedians and other cultural figures who disagreed with his critics.
The DAIA, according to Bercovich, seems more aligned with right-wing politics, particularly in defense of figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, rather than representing the interests of the Argentine Jewish community. This, he argues, misrepresents the diversity of views within the community itself, where dissent is an integral part of identity.
Bercovich believes that the association of Jews with the Israeli state’s military actions can create vulnerability to anti-Semitism in Argentina. He warned that conflating the Jewish community with the political stance of leaders like Milei could have long-term perilous consequences.
Lastly, he pointed out that his recent experiences highlight a broader issue of silencing dissenting voices. The fear of being labeled a terrorist for expressing an opinion can lead to the self-censorship of journalists and others in the public sphere, fostering a chilling effect on freedom of expression. His goal is to move the conversation forward, despite the hostility he faced for voicing his opinion on significant issues facing the Jewish community and Argentine society.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/modo-fontevecchia/alejandro-bercovich-a-la-amia-le-es-mas-comodo-confraternizar-con-barra-y-cuneo-libarona-que-conmigo-modof.phtml
