Full Breakdown
Peruvian President’s Antisemitic Remarks on WWII Prompt Diplomatic Condemnation and Apology
5/1/2026, 2:42:51 AM
Controversial Speech at Lima Chamber of Commerce
On 28 April 2026, interim President José María Balcázar addressed the 138th anniversary of the Lima Chamber of Commerce. Citing Antonio Escohotado’s *Los Enemigos del Comercio*, he claimed Jews “controlled all the banks, all the commerce, and practiced usury” and that this influence “partly pushed Germany into a war.” The speech was heard by ministers, diplomats and business leaders.
Historical Claims Cited
Balcázar’s argument rests on a discredited antisemitic trope that blames Jewish finance for war. The referenced book frames Jewish involvement in German trade as a historical catalyst, a view rejected by mainstream scholarship.
Diplomatic Condemnation and Demand for Retraction
The Israeli and German embassies issued a joint statement describing the remarks as absurd, historically untenable, and a violation of the memory of millions of German Jews murdered by the Nazis. The statement demanded Balcázar withdraw his comments and reminded that Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, not Jewish financiers, started World War II by invading Poland in 1939. Israeli Ambassador Eran Yuvan and German Chargé d’Affaires David Schmidt requested a retraction.
Domestic Jewish Community Reaction
The Jewish Association of Peru (AJP) said it listened with “astonishment,” noting the speech was given to a high-level audience that included the diplomatic corps. Local media highlighted the community’s condemnation and warned that such medieval-era antisemitic narratives threaten social cohesion.
Presidential Apology and Reaffirmation of Policy
Following the diplomatic backlash, the Peruvian presidency apologized, stating that the president “regrets that those statements generated a mistaken perception regarding the Jewish people in the context of the beginning of World War II.” The communiqué reaffirmed Peru’s historic view that Nazi fanaticism caused the war and the Holocaust, reiterated support for Israel, and pledged continued condemnation of antisemitism.
Implications for International Relations
The incident shows how historical distortion can strain bilateral ties and trigger swift diplomatic responses. Israel and Germany’s coordinated condemnation reflects a broader effort to counter Holocaust denial, while Peru’s apology aims to preserve its partnership with Israel and address domestic concerns about rising antisemitism.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We expect President Balcázar to withdraw his statements.” — Israeli and German ambassadors, joint statement
- “We must remember that Adolf Hitler and the Nazis were the ones who started World War II by attacking Poland in 1939.” — Joint Israeli-German statement
- “In his remarks, the President echoes outdated antisemitic theories that blame Jews for having pushed Germany into war because of their control of commerce, banking, and the practice of usury,” — Joint Israeli-German statement
- “The President of the Republic regrets that those statements generated a mistaken perception regarding the Jewish people in the context of the beginning of World War II.” — Peruvian Presidency
Future Steps
Peru’s foreign ministry announced plans to consult with Israeli and German officials on measures to prevent recurrence of historically inaccurate statements, while observers anticipate parliamentary scrutiny of the president’s use of controversial historical sources.
