Fringe, right-wing publications continued to be the most troubling form of Mexican anti-Semitism in 1997. Events in the Middle East prompted some anti-Semitic expressions in the national press.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

Nine communities, each originating in a different part of the world (Aleppo, Damascus, Eastern Europe and the Balkans), are represented in the Central Committee of the Jewish Community in Mexico (JCCM), and each has its own synagogue. JCCM's main objective is to promote cordial and open relations with the Mexican government and with other Jewish communities around the world. The public opinion and analysis agency Tribuna Israelita promotes an ongoing dialogue with influential figures and implements joint projects with various national organizations. Among its varied activities, it seeks to sensitize public opinion to the dangers of anti-Semitism.

ANTI-SEMITIC ACTIVITIES AND HATE GROUPS

The small, extreme right fringe in Mexico continued to maintain a low profile in 1997. The only group which expressed open anti-Semitism was the Águilas Mexicanas (Mexican Eagles), whose supporters appeared at some public gatherings, such as the demonstration of the National Liberation Zapatista Army on September 16. They carried placards with slogans such as "Jews are sacking Mexico" and "Kill the Jews." A few months later, on November 29, they participated, with similar slogans, in the "March of the Silent," at which thousands of Mexicans expressed their concern regarding the insecurity prevailing in the country.

Propaganda

Political events concerning the state of Israel and the Jewish-Palestinian conflict continued to be the source of most of the anti-Semitic expressions in the Mexican press. Several articles railed against Israel's rejection of peace, its alleged expansionism and behavior as victimizer. "Jews forgot the persecutions they suffered and became more violent than their former assailants," asserted Dolores Rodríguez in El Día of May 8.

Periodicals published by the Ibero-American Solidarity Movement, associated with Lyndon Larouche (see USA), such as EIR Resumen Ejecutivo, continued to address Jewish issues, including "international Zionism," the "British-Zionist conspiracy," and the Jewish identity of George Soros.

During the election campaign for mayor of Mexico City, the monthly Surge, published by right-wing extremists in Guadalajara, claimed that the victory of the Democratic Revolutionary Party was part of a "Jewish conspiracy." Following the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, they believe in the existence of an atheist, anti-Christian, international Jewish plot linked to the FBI and the Pentagon.

Salvador Abascal's La Hoja del Combate (Combat Newsletter) an ultra-rightist monthly published by Editorial Tradición, included anti-Jewish articles in a number of issues and promoted the books of Salvador Borrego, one of the most prolific anti-Semitic authors in Spanish. It also publicized and sold Argentinean titles in Mexico, claiming that well-known bookstores in Mexico refused to sell these books because of "Jewish threats."

Editorial Epoca, which was the main purveyor of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, has abided by its agreement not to publish this book any more. Nevertheless, it continued to distribute two other anti-Semitic classics.

RESPONSES TO RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM

In March 1997, over 30 intellectuals, academics and journalists, as well as the president of the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, issued an open letter condemning the racist views of a well-known journalist, Angel Viveros, who questioned the legitimacy of Jews holding government positions.

Tribuna Israelita and the JCCM launched an official website for combating anti-Semitism and racism and providing information on national and international Jewish issues.