Alexander Ben Zvi, Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Latin America Division, said "one of the top priorities in Iran’s agenda are the threats against Israel", in a special interview with Argentina-based Jewish news Agency (AJN).
During his visit to Argentina, where he is scheduled to meet Jewish community leaders, the official maintained that Israel is "concerned" over the increase of the commercial relations between Iran and other countries (including Latin America) "because Iran is the mastermind and perpetrator of the attacks" against the Israeli Embassy and the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires.
"Iran is not like any other country to make business with, as could be the case of China. China never said it would eliminate the State of Israel and it does not threat to wipe us off the map," Ben Zvi told AJN.
Then he added: "When we talk about the danger of the Iranian presence in Latin America, it must be considered that there is no need to have evidence, the evidence is here (…) the two attacks perpetrated in Buenos Aires are the most conclusive evidence we can have".
"We are concerned over the increase of trade (between Argentina and Iran), because it should be remembered that Iran is the country that was accused of murdering citizens by the Argentine justice, more than one hundred Argentinians, and that is why it is difficult to accept that people are doing business with a country accused of murdering over 100 people", he added.
In light of the growing influence of Islamic groups in some Latin American countries, Ben Zvi analysed the phenomenon and its possible impact on the region: "The communities (…) are fine in general, except for Venezuela, for the reasons we already know, and Bolivia, because it is smaller. Israel maintains a very good relationship with the countries (in the region). There are two differences: Cuba, with which we have no relationship due to its strong anti-Israel statements, and Venezuela, that has lost the level of representation it used to have years ago", the official explained.
Asked about the claims raised by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner against the Iranian government and her request for the extradition of the "six officers involved in the attack to face a fair trial", Ben Zvi acknowledged the "categorical" remarks of the President but admitted that he believes "there is a very remote possibility" that the request will be met "because the (Iranian) officials will be careful not to leave Iran".
Considering the difficult political situation in Israel, after the Kadima primaries and the claim of the Israeli people calling for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Foreign Ministry official painted a picture of the challenges the next Israeli government will have to face.
"I have no idea of whether Tzipi Livni will be able to form a government because the political game in Israel is complicated and unexpected. She is now beginning the negotiations to form a coalition but if she fails to assemble a government, I believe that in the general elections she has as many chances as Netanyahu, Barak and the others", he analyzed.
Regarding Latin America’s possibility to cooperate with Shalit’s case, Ben Zvi stressed Ingrid Betancourt’s work.
Since Betancourt arrived in France, after being released from the Colombian FARCs militia, she maintained: "Now it’s Gilad Shalit’s turn".
The official placed special responsibility on "those who have influence on the media", which should repeat that "it is a humanitarian, rather than a military issue."
On the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year (5769), the Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Latin America Division, sent a message of peace following a traditional Jewish custom.
"I hope we have a quiet, good and prosperous year. We are strong and we will continue to be, everyone, both in Israel and the Diaspora, and we will have a real Shana Tova, and this is the important thing," he concluded.
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