mexico 2009

 

 

There are approximately 40,000 Jews in Mexico out of a total population of 104 million. Most live in the capital Mexico City and its environs, while the rest inhabit the cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana and Cancun.

Mexico recorded an increase in antisemitic manifestations, from 47 in 2008 to 80 in 2009, as a result of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead, which triggered a wave of anti-Israel articles and demostrations, offensive e-mails to Jewish institutions and swastikas displayed in Jewish neighborhoods.  Many articles, mostly in the center or left-wing press, crossed the line to antisemitism. Editorials, cartoons, and readers’ letters expressed venomous opposition to Israeli policies. (See example below and ASW 2008.)

 

Hernández

La Jornada (left-wing), January 1

 

 

 

 

 

NGOs such as International Amnesty, the Mexican Chapter of Not in Our Name, and Solidarity with the Palestinian People Movement organized mass demonstrations outside the Israeli and American embassies in Mexico City, as well as in Oaxaca, Puebla, Mérida, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. They carried dolls stained with red paint representing Palestinian children, and placards with antisemitic and anti-Zionist slogans and imagery, such as an Israeli flag with the Star of David evolving into a swastika. Jewish institutions received emails blaming Jews in general for the violence in the Middle East, accusing Israel of genocide, and transforming Israel the victim into Israel the murderer.

 

 

 

 

                                                        

 

 

Milenio (centrist), January 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Rape,” Milenio, January 5, 2009

 

 

 

Swastikas and antisemitic slogans continued to be posted throughout the year, for example at the Keter Tora Yeshiva in June:

 

 

 

 

“You Mexican, have you asked yourself why you don´t have a job? Because of the damned Jews.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

”Go back to your country before it is too late.”

 

 

The Beth Hayeladim Jewish Day School received a bomb threat call in July.

Also, throughout the year, both the Palestinian and the Iranian ambassadors participated in interviews and news conferences, at which they propagated antisemitic and anti-Zionist views. For example, the Iranian diplomat said: “Jewish rabbis command Jews and Zionists to kill Palestinian children to stop them from becoming soldiers.” At an International Women’s Day event on March 29, he handed out anti-Zionist fliers showing a soldier wearing a T-shirt with the caption in Hebrew: “One shot two deaths: Shooting a pregnant woman you kill two people.” 

 

 

      

On February 1, 2009, members of the skinhead group Mexico 88 participated in a mass demonstration against “minorities” organized by the extreme right Union Nacional Sinarquista. Weeks later representatives of Mexico 88 marched toward downtown Mexico holding a flag with a swastika

 

      

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