"Cut Jews Throats" : Resident Physician Banned After Vile Antisemitic Posts

A resident physician in Argentina has been suspended following the exposure of his antisemitic social media posts advocating the murder of Jews, prompting swift action from provincial health authorities. Miqueas Martinez Secchi, specializing in intensive care at Jose de San Martin Hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, shared messages that included explicit threats, drawing condemnation and highlighting ongoing concerns about rising antisemitism in the region.

The controversial posts came to light when journalist and commentator Dani Lerer shared them on the X platform, leading to immediate public backlash. In one particularly disturbing message, Secchi wrote, "instead of performing circumcision, their carotid artery and main artery should be cut from side to side." Such statements were deemed incompatible with the ethical standards of medical practice, especially for someone entrusted with saving lives.

In response, Buenos Aires Province Health Minister Nicolas Kreplak issued a firm statement on social media. "Any aggressive message or one that shows a lack of respect for human life is incompatible with medical practice, and especially with medicine," he said. "These are fundamental values in the training of health professionals." Kreplak further stressed the importance of health as a societal asset and the need to combat discrimination unequivocally. "It is vital to be unequivocal against any acts of discrimination and racism. Messages containing antisemitic content were spread on social media. The same condemnation applies to any instance of racism against Indigenous communities, Muslim communities, or any ethnic origin or religious identity," he declared.

The minister confirmed that Secchi has been suspended and is now under administrative and legal investigation. A professional committee will review the case to determine if he can renew his medical license, taking into account other prior incidents that have surfaced. This decision underscores the gravity of the situation, as Argentina grapples with a history of antisemitic incidents, including the 1994 AMIA bombing that killed 85 people in Buenos Aires, the deadliest attack on Jews outside Israel since World War II. The country hosts one of the largest Jewish communities in Latin America, with around 200000 members, making such rhetoric particularly alarming amid global rises in hate crimes following events like the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.

Secchi's case adds to a troubling pattern of professionals in positions of trust expressing extremist views online, prompting calls for stricter monitoring of social media conduct in healthcare. Advocacy groups have praised the quick response, viewing it as a step toward fostering tolerance and protecting vulnerable communities from hate speech that could incite real-world violence. As the investigation proceeds, it serves as a reminder of the ethical responsibilities doctors hold, not just in treating patients but in upholding human dignity in all aspects of life.