Argentine Federal Judge Removed for Repeated Anti-Semitic Remarks on Social Media

The Argentine Federal Judges Council dismissed Federal Judge Alfredo Eugenio López from his position in Buenos Aires province after determining he systematically posted anti-Semitic and offensive comments against Jews on social media. The disciplinary process reviewed 17 posts López published on platform X between September 2024 and July 2025, where he referred to Jews with derogatory terms such as "rats," "a race of vipers," and "Juden," the German word infamously used during the Holocaust. He also claimed Jewish citizens were not truly Argentine.

The council stated that López's conduct was not isolated or emotionally driven but a sustained pattern of discrimination encouraging symbolic violence and prejudice against the entire Jewish community in Argentina. They ruled his behavior violated essential judicial ethics, undermined the rule of law, and breached his duty to protect all citizens' rights. The decision emphasized that judges are removed not for their opinions but when their public conduct conflicts with impartiality, respect for the role, and public trust.

López defended himself by alleging ideological persecution and invoked freedom of expression but was ultimately removed. He had submitted his resignation in April, yet the disciplinary proceedings continued until his formal dismissal. After the ruling, López called the judges "traitors and cowards." Complaints against him were filed by DAIA, the umbrella organization of Argentine Jewish communities, parliamentarian Sabrina Ajmechet, head of the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism, and other lawyers. This marks the first time in Argentina's history that a judge has been removed for anti-Semitic hate speech.

The case highlights Argentina's judicial system addressing hate speech within its ranks and the broader societal commitment to combating anti-Semitism.