Argentina's Chief Rabbi Gabriel Davidovich attacked during break-in Published duration 26 February 2019

image copyright Amia image caption Mr Davidovich's attackers stole money and reportedly told him "We know that you are the Amia Rabbi"

Argentina's Chief Rabbi has been taken to hospital after being beaten in a night-time attack at his home in the capital Buenos Aires.

Rabbi Gabriel Davidovich said his wife was restrained during the break-in while he was attacked.

In a statement, Amia - a Jewish cultural centre - said the attackers stole money and told Mr Davidovich: "We know that you are the Amia Rabbi."

The organisation said comments made by his attackers were "a cause for alarm".

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack. "Anti-Semitism must not be allowed to rear its head," he said in a statement.

Mr Davidovich, who has been Argentina's chief rabbi since 2013, was being treated for several fractured ribs and a punctured lung, according to local press reports. Police said they were investigating the incident as a robbery.

The attack came just a day after seven Jewish graves were defaced with Nazi symbols in San Luis in western Argentina. The country is home to nearly 200,000 Jews - one of the world's largest Jewish populations outside Israel.