Mexico’s Jewish Community Condemns Antisemitic Graffiti Targeting Jewish President Sheinbaum

Mexico’s Jewish community condemned antisemitic graffiti directed at President Claudia Sheinbaum after a violent wave of “Gen Z” anti-government protests took over Mexico City on Saturday.

The graffiti, painted on the door of the Supreme Court building, used a derogatory phrase aimed at Sheinbaum’s Jewish identity. It appeared during a protest focused on rising violence, crime, and corruption.

On Sunday, the Jewish Community of Mexico released a statement saying, “The Jewish Community of Mexico strongly condemns the antisemitic remarks and expressions” during the march. They added that “antisemitism is a form of discrimination according to our constitution and must be rejected clearly and unequivocally.”

Sheinbaum, elected last year as Mexico’s first Jewish president, has not commented publicly on the graffiti. She has largely not made her Jewish identity part of her political profile and is not a regular participant in the country’s Jewish communal life.

Israeli officials also responded. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the messages, writing, “Israel strongly condemns the antisemitic and sexist slurs directed at Mexico’s President Claudia Scheinbaum. There is no place for such attacks in political discourse. All forms of antisemitism, in any context, must be rejected unequivocally.”

The graffiti included a crossed-out Star of David, photographed alongside damaged barriers and broken windows as protesters pushed toward the Presidential Palace complex. Images from the rally showed a masked demonstrator wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a swastika, adding to concerns within the Jewish community and raising questions about extremist symbols appearing at youth-driven political events.

According to Mexico City police, 40 people were detained, and crowds attempted to break into the compound. Authorities reported that 100 police officers and 20 civilians were injured.The demonstrations erupted after the murder of Carlson Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, triggering accusations of government corruption and renewed anger over cartel-driven violence. The gatherings were largely driven by young protesters who say the government has failed to curb escalating crime.

Mexican authorities have not commented on the antisemitic nature of the graffiti or other symbols displayed at the protest.