Lawmakers and Trump officials paid tribute to the victims of the AMIA bombing in Washington.

In an emotional candle-lighting ceremony and speeches at the U.S. Congress, lawmakers, Trump administration officials, Argentine diplomats, and leaders of Jewish organizations commemorated the 31st anniversary of the attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Washington on Tuesday. The event was attended by nearly 100 people, where they remembered the victims and pledged to continue the fight against terrorism and antisemitism.

“This ceremony comes at a time of global resurgence of antisemitism,” said Reed Rubinstein, legal secretary of the State Department , adding that the rise was triggered by the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel. “Silence and discretion are no longer options,” the Trump official remarked to a packed audience in one of the annex chambers of Congress.

The event was a moment of "remembrance and reflection" on the July 18, 1994, attack, which left 85 dead and nearly 300 injured . The Argentine court determined that it was planned by Iran and members of the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah.

It was led by Ambassador Alec Oxenford, along with the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Brian Mast, and the president of AMIA, Osvaldo Armoza , in one of the most significant tributes ever held at the Washington State Capitol in recent times.

It was a demonstration of the mutual interest of the White House and the Javier Milei administration in combating anti-Semitism and terrorism , and also in strengthening the close ties between both countries and Israel at a time of turmoil in the Middle East.

“Fundamentalism and hatred have a central objective: to destroy the very principles that unite us so closely with Israel: freedom, democracy, and Western values,” President Javier Milei said in a letter read by Ambassador Oxenford.

“Therefore, Argentina and this president will always stand unconditionally with Israel, our strategic ally along with the United States , especially in difficult times like these, when Israel admirably and bravely defends its right to exist,” he added.

Trump's envoy stressed that the U.S. is "combating the threat posed by anti-Semitic and genocidal terrorists and we are pursuing the individuals and organizations, both domestic and foreign, that materially support them."

“ We are grateful for the support and strong partnership between the United States and Argentina , the only Latin American country to appoint a special envoy (against antisemitism) for the region, and for Argentina's assumption of the presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance next year. Argentina has established itself as a leader in the hemisphere,” Rubinstein said.

For his part, Representative Mast emphasized the importance of continuing to remember the events to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. "You have my commitment that we will continue to remember," the Republican emphasized.

The AMIA president emphasized that in the attack case, "the powers of the State failed to ensure that the perpetrators serve effective sentences. They remain fugitives from justice in our country. The truth is in the case; what's missing is justice," he said.

Daniel Pomerantz, who was working on the second floor of the AMIA building when the attack occurred and managed to survive, also spoke.

Finally, after remarks by Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Trump's nominee as his special envoy against antisemitism, candles were lit, a moment of silence was observed, and those present were asked to hold up photos of each of the victims.

The ceremony at the US Congress took place the day after another historic event in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where the victims of the attack were also remembered in Jerusalem on Monday.