Patagonia in flames, facts against a conspiracy theory
ARGENTINE POLITICS Patagonia in flames: facts against a conspiracy theory José Urrejola 13/01/January 202613, 2026 The fires in Argentina's Patagonia revive conspiracy theories blaming Israelis without evidence. Experts and official records explain the real causes of the fire and call to avoid prejudice. https://p.dw.com/p/56lhy name. The fires, aggravated by weather conditions, have raised anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Image: Matias Garay/REUTERS ADVERTISEMENT Every time there are large fires in Argentine or Chilean Patagonia, unsubstantiated accusations resurface on social networks that point to people or groups of Israeli nationality as responsible for the fire. These versions are usually supported by the so-called "Andinia Plan", an old anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that claims, without evidence, that there would be a plan to create a Jewish state in Patagonia, a region with abundant fresh water and fertile land. Added to this story is the presence...