The President of Peru blamed part of the responsibility for the outbreak of World War II on Jews

“The Jews pushed Germany into war, they had significant influence on banking, trade, and were engaged in usury,” said the head of state, repeating the claims of Nazi propaganda.

The Jewish Association of Peru issued an official statement expressing shock that the head of state was spreading anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, demanding an immediate apology. The scientific community also expressed outrage.

“The President regrets the statement, which creates a misconception about the role of Jews in the context of the outbreak of World War II. The cause of the war and the unforgivable genocide of the Jews was the fanaticism of the Nazis. This historical position formed the basis of Peru’s support for the founding of the State of Israel,” the presidential office said.

“President José Maria Balcazar condemns in the strongest possible terms the genocide of the Jews during World War II, reiterates the unacceptability of anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination and expresses solidarity with the victims of the Holocaust,” the statement said.