Condemning the attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and encouraging accountability for the attack.

Legislative Summary: H.Res. 597

Overview

H.Res. 597 is a House Resolution introduced in the 119th Session of the U.S. Congress. The primary purpose of this resolution is to formally condemn the July 18, 1994, terrorist bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The resolution serves as a diplomatic statement of solidarity with the victims and the Argentine Jewish community, while calling for international accountability for the perpetrators, specifically naming the Iranian regime and the terrorist group Hezbollah.

Key Provisions and Objectives

The resolution outlines several critical goals and declarations:

• Formal Condemnation: The House officially condemns the 1994 AMIA attack, which killed 85 people and injured over 300, marking the deadliest attack on Jewish people outside of Israel since the Holocaust.
• Demand for Accountability: It calls for the prosecution of those responsible, specifically highlighting the roles of Iran-backed operatives and Hezbollah proxies. It references the 2024 ruling by Argentina’s Court of Cassation, which declared the bombing a "crime against humanity."
• Support for Argentine Justice: The resolution recognizes recent legal strides in Argentina, including the passage of Law No. 27.784 (allowing trials in absentia) and the efforts of prosecutors to seek warrants for high-ranking Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader.
• International Pressure: The bill demands that all INTERPOL member countries comply with existing arrest orders for the suspects involved in the attack.
• Counter-Terrorism Advocacy: The resolution commends the Argentine government for designating Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organizations and urges other U.S. allies in Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt similar designations.
• Solidarity Against Antisemitism: It expresses support for the Jewish diaspora in Latin America amid a global rise in antisemitism.

Who is Affected?

While this is a non-binding resolution (meaning it does not create new laws or allocate funding), it has significant diplomatic implications for:
* The Iranian Government and Hezbollah: By naming specific officials and organizations, the U.S. reinforces the diplomatic isolation of these entities regarding state-sponsored terrorism.
* The Government of Argentina: The resolution validates Argentina's judicial pursuit of the attackers and encourages continued legal efforts.
* International Law Enforcement: It puts pressure on INTERPOL and member nations to prioritize the apprehension of named suspects.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: July 17, 2025.
• Current Status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• Sponsorship: Supported by a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, including Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Tony Gonzales, and Mario Diaz-Balart.