Buenos Aires – An Argentine judge, Facundo Ocampo, has been suspended from X (formerly Twitter) following a series of antisemitic posts shared on the platform beginning in January 2026. The suspension highlights growing concerns over the spread of hate speech online and its potential impact from individuals in positions of power. The controversy centers around Ocampo’s statements, which included calls to “eradicate Zionism” and disparaging remarks about the late prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
Ocampo, who presides over the Juzgado Correccional N.º 4 in San Isidro, gained notoriety in mid-2024 for his conviction of three doctors in a case involving the negligent death of Alejandro Cohn, brother of filmmaker Mariano Cohn, an incident that occurred in 2015 at the Hospital Melchor Posse in San Isidro. However, his recent online activity has overshadowed that legal precedent, raising questions about his impartiality and judgment. The case resulted in sentences of up to three years and six months in prison for the convicted doctors, Marcelo Solano, Ana Sánchez, and Carla Setti, while three others were acquitted, according to reporting from Sección País.
The posts, which surfaced amidst wildfires in southern Argentina and related accusations, went beyond criticism of political figures. Ocampo reportedly wrote, “Adorni, don’t feign dementia to give Patagonia to the Jews afterwards,” and “It’s clear the Mapuche are the Jews,” according to reports from Bardeo News. He also expressed support for Hamas, the organization responsible for the October 7th massacre in Israel, stating, “We must remove the mask and support the Jews without disgust. Good for Hamas.” Another post claimed, “While you accuse us of being Nazis, the Jews steal Patagonia from us. Poor homeland with this Jewish government.”
Further exacerbating the situation, Ocampo made disparaging remarks about Alberto Nisman on the anniversary of his death, sharing a story from the DAIA (Argentine Israelite Mutual Association) and writing, “The cowardly Jew killed himself due to the unsustainable nature of the accusation he was going to present.” He also voiced support for Silvina Sterin Pensel, a journalist recently dismissed from C5N, attributing her firing to a “Jewish government” and calling it an act of “Jewish censorship,” as detailed by Visavis.
While many of Ocampo’s posts received limited engagement – fewer than 10 views, according to reports – screenshots circulated widely on social media, prompting widespread condemnation and ultimately leading to the suspension of his X account. The incident has sparked debate about the responsibility of public officials regarding their online conduct and the potential for social media to amplify hateful ideologies.
The timing of these posts also draws attention to the ongoing investigation into the death of Alberto Nisman, who was investigating the 1994 AMIA bombing. The reopening of the case by the Supreme Court in 2024, as reported by Urgente24, has renewed public interest in the circumstances surrounding his death.
It remains to be seen what repercussions Ocampo will face beyond the suspension of his X account. The incident is likely to fuel further scrutiny of his judicial decisions and raise questions about his ability to impartially administer justice. The case underscores the challenges of balancing freedom of speech with the necessitate to combat hate speech and protect vulnerable communities. Further investigation into the matter and potential disciplinary action by judicial authorities are anticipated.
As the debate surrounding online hate speech continues to intensify, this case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked antisemitism and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their words, particularly those in positions of authority. The incident will likely prompt further discussion about the role of social media platforms in moderating content and protecting against the spread of harmful ideologies.
