Mexicans March Against Israeli Genocide in Gaza

Vigil in support of Palestine, in Mexico City, Mexico, Oct. 7, 2024. Photo: Xinhua.

October 9, 2024 Hour: 10:03 am

Members of the Jewish community in Mexico also came to show their support for the Palestinian people.

On October 7, hundreds of citizens marched in Mexico City to protest against the Israeli genocide, marking one year since the start of the Israeli occupation forces’ offensive against Gaza.

They gathered at the Angel of Independence roundabout on Paseo de la Reforma, one of the main avenues of the Mexican capital. From there, social activists and human rights defenders held a solidarity event with the Palestinian people, lighting candles and observing a 365-second moment of silence.

“October 7 did not mark one year since the start of the genocide, but rather one year since the intensification of the genocide. This has been going on for 76 years, not just for one year. This is not something that just started,” said Eduardo Ibañez, one of the protest organizers.

Besides rejecting the ongoing diplomatic and commercial relations between Mexico and Israel, Ibañez denounced that the Mexican armed forces and security agencies are receiving Israeli weapons and training.

1 año de genocidio en Palestina.
76 años de ocupación israelí.
¡Sueño con un mundo con Palestina libre! 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/9pPOORJPUk
— Ángel (@angel_bayona_) October 7, 2024

The text reads, “One year of genocide in Palestine. 76 years of Israeli occupation. I dream of a world with a free Palestine!”

“We must not allow police repression in Mexico City to bear the mark of Israeli training… We need to say enough to Israeli bullets that kill Palestinians and are also killing Mexicans,” he said.

Among the protesters were members of the Jewish community in Mexico. They came to show their support for the Palestinian people and rejected the actions of the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We demand that the administration headed by President Claudia Sheinbaum cut all ties with the State of Israel,” said Christian Cebolledo.

So far, however, Sheinbaum, who took office on October 1, has not commented on the possibility of breaking diplomatic relations with Israel. She has maintained the stance of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who advocated for a “neutral” position.

“That is a lukewarm stance that does not align with the positions Mexico has historically taken. In other moments, such as during World War II, Mexico always took a clear stance in favor of affected people,” said Carla Leyva, a university representative.