The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has called on Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez to condemn a suspected anti-Semitic murder of a Jewish businessman by a Muslim attacker in the country and for the authorities to swiftly investigate this incident and prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.

54 year-old David Fremd was stabbed various times in the back when he was about to cross the street in the city of Paysandu, near the border of Argentina.

The man, who was a member of the local Jewish community, later died in hospital.His son, who was with him and tried to defend him, was also injured.

Abdullah Omar, the perpetrator who has a criminal record, shouted “Allah akbar” while attacking Fremd. He was immediately arrested and was due to be brought to court on Thursday.

“From what we have learned from the Uruguayan Jewish community, and given the nature of the incident, this attack appears to be a clear case of anti-Semitism,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO.

“President Vázquez must ensure the security and well-being of the Jewish community of Uruguay, as many may feel highly vulnerable in the wake of such a horror,”Greenblatt said. “We express strong solidarity with the Uruguayan Jewish community in the aftermath of this horrific attack.”

A recent ADL poll in 100 countries found that 33 percent of those surveyed in Uruguay harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.

Around 15,000 Jews live in the country, mostly in the capital Montevideo.

More than 400 Jewish community leaders from around the world are expected to gather in Buenos Aires next week, as the World Jewish Congress (WJC) holds a special session of its Plenary Assembly, the organization’s highest decision-making body.

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri will deliver a keynote speech at the opening event of the assembly, and Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartés will be awarded the Latin American Jewish Congress’ Shalom Prize for his support for Israel.

(Source: EJP)