Argentine Judge Removed for Posting Anti-Semitic Tweets Calling Jews 'Rats' and 'Vipers'

Argentina's Judicial Disciplinary Court has taken the unprecedented step of dismissing a federal judge from Mar del Plata due to a series of anti-Semitic and racist posts he made on the social media platform X. This marks the first time in Argentina's history that such a severe action has been taken against a sitting judge for hate speech and incitement. The disciplinary proceedings began in March following formal complaints about approximately 40 tweets, 15 of which were particularly offensive. In these posts, the judge referred to Jews using derogatory terms such as 'rats' and 'a race of vipers,' and questioned the loyalty of Jewish citizens to Argentina.

During the hearings, the judge defended himself by claiming his statements were protected under freedom of expression and that he was a victim of ideological persecution. However, the court, composed of judges, lawyers, and parliamentary representatives, rejected these defenses, concluding that the judge's conduct was a repeated pattern of harmful behavior constituting serious ethical violations. The court emphasized that his social media remarks incited symbolic violence aimed at discrimination and subjugation of the Jewish community.

After the indictment committee voted to bring him to trial, the judge attempted to resign to avoid the stigma of formal dismissal. The local government refused to accept his resignation, insisting the legal process be completed. Subsequently, the full Judicial Council, led by Supreme Court President Horacio Rosatti, proceeded with the official removal. The Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism praised the decision, highlighting it as a milestone in the country's judicial system and a clear message that anti-Semitism and racial incitement will not be tolerated, even from high-ranking officials. This precedent may influence how similar cases are handled in Argentina and beyond.