Survey: Majority of Argentinians hold anti-Semitic beliefs

Poll finds more than half of Argentinians believe Jews more loyal to Israel than Argentina, more than 80% believe Jews largely interested in making money.

A majority of Argentinians hold anti-Semitic beliefs, according to a new study.

The study, "Attitudes Towards Jews in Argentina," was commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League and the Delegation of Argentinian Jewish Associations.The opinion survey of 1,510 adults in eight Argentina cities found that more than half of Argentinians believe that Jews are more loyal to Israel than Argentina, and more than 80 percent believe that Jews are largely interested in making money.

Nearly 70 percent also believe that Jews have "too much power" both in the business world and international financial markets, with 41 percent blaming Jews for various degrees of responsibility for the financial crisis.

“The survey shows that anti-Semitic attitudes are deeply ingrained in Argentina,” Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director, said in a statement.

“It is disturbing that such a large portion of the Argentinian population buys into classical anti-Semitic stereotypes. The notions that Jews have too much power in business, are too concerned with making money or are not loyal to their country are traditional anti-Semitic motifs that have contributed to centuries of persecution against the Jewish people.”