MEXICO 2004

 

The trend of a decline in antisemitic manifestations continued during 2004. Most antisemitism was expressed in messages received through the web by Jewish institutions and in anti-Jewish graffiti. Some mainstream publications published articles containing antisemitic motifs.

 

The Jewish Community

The Jewish community numbers about 40,000 out of a total population of 104 million. Most Jews live in the capital Mexico City and its suburbs, while the rest are located in the cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana and Cancun.

Jewish immigrants to Mexico formed communities according to their place of origin, a way of life that has persisted until today. All the communities, together with the Jewish Sports Center, are represented in the Jewish Central Committee of Mexico (JCCM). Tribuna Israelita, a public opinion and analysis agency, promotes an ongoing dialogue with opinion leaders and implements joint projects with various national organizations.

High enrolment in Jewish day schools (more than 90 percent) and a very low rate of intermarriage (6 percent) characterize this cohesive community, which also has a wide range of welfare, religious and educational services. A variety of monthly periodicals reflect the various political, cultural and ideological tendencies in the community.

 

Antisemitic activities and racist groups

The trend of a decline in antisemitic manifestations continued during 2004. Most antisemitism was expressed in messages received through the web by Jewish institutions. However, a Jewish school bus was attacked with various objects and anti-Jewish graffiti, mainly swastikas, appeared in the environs of a Jewish school and in a Jewish neighborhood. The Jewish Sports Club received a threatening phone call and a prominent Jewish journalist received an offensive letter referring to “Jewish power” in the media.

Although anti-Zionist events (conferences and rallies) decreased during this period, the Mexican chapter of Not in Our Name (organization established in March 2002 in New York to stop America’s war against terrorism) and pro-Palestinian groups such as the Coordination of Palestinian-Mexican Solidarity, the Mexican-Palestinian Friendship Committee and SOS for Humanity, were active. During the first half of 2004, for example, they urged the Mexican government to severe diplomatic relations with Israel.

While there are no overtly antisemitic radio stations, newspapers or television channels, some mainstream publications in 2004 printed articles containing antisemitic motifs. These included: references to Jewish control of show business: “Mel Gibson’s movie [Passion of the Christ] didn’t receive an award because Hollywood is controlled by the Jewish community” (Unomasuno, March 2004), and “Rich Jews dominate the most lucrative movies and theater productions” (Diario de Mexico, March 2004); a portrayal of Jews as exploiters: “The only terrorists in the world are Jews who take advantage of the poor and deliberately rob... That is terrorism” (Sol de Mediodia, 25 June 2004); and comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany: “The Israeli extreme right, xenophobic and violent… would be admired even by Hitler” (Siempre, 22 Nov. 2004), “The Jews didn’t learn anything from the Holocaust” (El Dia, 12 March 2004), and “What the Israelis are doing is worse than what Hitler’s troops did in the Warsaw Ghetto, Poland. It’s genocide against the Palestinian people...” (Unomasuno, 20 May 2004). Coverage of the killings of Hamas leaders Ahmad Yassin and `Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi and of the construction of the security fence in the mainstream media (press, radio, and TV programs) was markedly anti-Israel/anti-Zionist (“What would José Saramago say about the ignominious genocide wall constructed on land stolen from the Palestinians in the West Bank” − Unomasuno, Jan. 2004). Some writers such as Jorge Aviles Randolph in El Sol de Mexico (11 Nov. 2004) and Roberta Garza in Diario Milenio (12 Dec. 2004) blamed Sharon and the Mossad for Arafat’s death.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion continued to be available in some bookstores. Although publication of Mein Kampf is prohibited in Mexico due to local and international copyright laws, the book can be found in bookstores and at illegal stands in downtown Mexico City, where Nazi’s insignia and memorabilia are also available for purchase.

 

responses to Antisemitism and Racism

At the opening of an Anne Frank exhibition at Anahuac University in Mexico City in October, Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda stated that the Mexican Constitution considered antisemitism a form of racism and that there was no room for racism in the 21st century. Anahuac University hosted Prof. Dina Porat of the Stephen Roth Institute for a UN lecture on racism in October 2003.

As part of its campaign to promote a more positive image of Israel and the Jewish community, Tribuna Israelita, in conjunction with the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination, published the book “60 years after the Liberation of Auschwitz: Reflections of the Mexican Press, a anthology of more than 30 articles published in the national media by well-known Jewish and non-Jewish journalists and intellectuals. During the book’s presentation in the Museum of Mexico City, Yad Vashem´s pictorial exhibit “In the Gates of Hell” of the Soviet artist Zinovii Tolkatchev was inaugurated. Tribuna Israelita also participated in the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, in November 2004, exhibiting books and other materials about Judaism, Israel, antisemitism and the Jewish presence in Mexico.

Representatives of the Jewish community of Mexico and of the Latino and Latin American Institute of the American Jewish Committee organized a visit to Poland and Israel for a delegation of Catholic bishops from both Mexico and the United States, headed by the Archbishop of Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen relations with the Catholic Church, and to educate about the Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel.