Antisemitism and anti-Zionism in the southern cone of Latin America. The cases of Argentina and Chile, 2009-2021.

This presentation examines antisemitism and anti-Zionism in the period from 2009 to 2021, considering the cases of Argentina and Chile. The growth of groups, movements and political parties of the extreme right, economic crises, the emergence of a discourse form the radical left, the presence of radicalized Palestinian organizations, are some factors that, to a lesser or geater extent, contribute to this phenomenon of intolerance towards the Jews and Israel. Latin America in general, and the southern cone are not inmune to this problem. In terms of Jewish population, Argentina has the most populous in the region and the fifth in the world, estimated at 180,000, while Israel has the third in South America with 18,300, surpassed by the Jewish population of Brazil, with 92,6000 (Dashefsky, DellaPergola, and Sheskin 2019). At the same time, it should be noted that Chile is a country of concern due to its antisemitic potential, as there is a radicalized Palestinian community.

This proposal addresses the period from 2009 to 2021, that coincides with the military operations in Gaza (the first in December 2008-January 2009, the last in May 2021). Furthermore, the development of the Covid-19 pandemic constitutes a source of the proliferation of conspiracy theories against Israel and the Jews (ADL-Anti-Defamation League, 2020). In methodological terms, this proposal follows a quantitative and qualitative analysis of antisemitic incidents based on reports on antisemitism, database on antisemitism, review of the national press and the Jewish communiy internet sites of the two countries.