Argentine Federal Judge Removed for Antisemitic Remarks Comparing Jews to 'Rats' and 'Vipers'

The Disciplinary Court of Judges within Argentina's Judicial Council has removed Federal Judge Alfredo Lopez from Mar del Plata following a historic decision. According to the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism (FACA), this marks the first time a judge in Argentina has been dismissed due to antisemitic conduct. The proceedings against Lopez began in March 2025 after complaints about a series of posts on the social media platform X, where he referred to Jews with derogatory terms such as "rats" and "a race of vipers," and questioned their loyalty to Argentina.

Lopez defended himself by claiming ideological persecution and invoking freedom of expression. However, the court ruled that his repeated offensive statements constituted "misconduct" and incited "symbolic violence." The indictment committee presented dozens of tweets demonstrating a pattern of hostility toward Jews, Zionism, and Israel. Lopez submitted his resignation, but the Argentine government refused to accept it.

Subsequently, the full Judicial Council, led by Supreme Court President Horacio Rosatti, advanced Lopez to the final dismissal process. FACA praised the ruling, stating, "Between hatred and coexistence, the Judicial Council chose coexistence." This case sets a precedent in Argentina's judiciary regarding intolerance and hate speech.