Argentina Judge Removed for Antisemitic Social Media Posts

Argentina's Judicial Council has taken an unprecedented step in the country's legal history: a federal judge serving in the coastal city of Mar del Plata has been removed from office following a sustained pattern of antisemitic and racist statements he published on the social media platform X, according to a report Wednesday by Ynet.

The dismissal marks the first time in Argentine history that such severe disciplinary action has been taken against a sitting judge for antisemitic conduct and incitement, according to the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism (FACA). The judge's posts included referring to Jews with derogatory terms, comparing them to "rats" and a "race of vipers," and questioning the loyalty of Jewish citizens to Argentina. Formal complaints were filed against him in March, focusing on approximately 15 particularly egregious tweets selected from roughly 40 posts examined by the tribunal.

During the disciplinary proceedings, the judge attempted to defend himself by claiming his posts were protected under free speech principles and that he was the victim of targeted "ideological persecution," according to the report. The tribunal panel, composed of judges, attorneys, members of the Chamber of Deputies, and senators, firmly rejected his arguments.

The panel determined that the posts did not represent isolated incidents or errors, but rather a repeated pattern of offensive statements constituting "deficient performance" and a severe ethical breach. In their ruling, tribunal members stated that his social media comments incited "symbolic violence" intended to create discrimination and subjugation of the Jewish community. After the indictment committee decided to proceed with formal charges, the judge quickly submitted his resignation in an attempt to avoid the stigma of removal. However, local authorities refused to accept the resignation and insisted the legal process be completed in full.

Subsequently, the full Judicial Council, led by Supreme Court President and Council President Horacio Rosatti, moved forward with formal impeachment proceedings that resulted in his removal.

In a statement welcoming the tribunal's decision, the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism said the Judicial Council had demonstrated that in the struggle between hatred, intolerance, and violence versus coexistence and peace, the Argentine nation chooses coexistence and peace.

The ruling is a significant milestone in Argentina's judicial system, sending a clear message that antisemitism and racist incitement will not be tolerated in silence, even when perpetrated by senior figures within the legal establishment. This precedent may influence how similar cases are handled in the future, both within Argentina and beyond its borders.