Mexico manages its relationship with Israel in a variety of sensible, well-rounded ways. Mexico has voiced reluctance with several of Israel’s actions, particularly in the situation of Gaza, although denouncing terrorism and acknowledging Israel’s right to security. Mexico strongly condemns acts such as the October 7, 2023, Hamas-organized attack on Israel and acknowledges that Israel has the right to self-defense. It demanded that Mexican nationals and other individuals detained by Hamas be allowed to return. The impact of Israel’s attack in Gaza on Palestinian citizens and their infrastructure has drawn criticism from Mexico.
Mexico supports inquiries into potential Israeli war crimes and attempted to join the International Court of Justice’s hearings regarding claims of genocide against Israel. Mexico supports a two-state solution that accepts both Israel and Palestine in order to bring about peace. Claudia Sheinbaum, the mayor of Mexico City, is still in favor of a peaceful settlement to the dispute.
Recent Military Procurement
Mexico purchased $210 million worth of Israeli military equipment in 2008 and continues to engage in cooperation with Israel including training of its police and border forces. This practical military relationship underpins a tangible aspect of their ties beyond just diplomacy.
Criticism of Mexico for supporting Israel
Mexico has not recalled its ambassador from Israel, as some left-leaning Latin American nations have done. Despite not entirely denouncing Israel, some claim that Mexico’s military and economic ties to Israel, especially arms sales and security agreements, make it cautious in its Middle East policies. Critics assert that Mexico has neither publicly condemned the brutal conflict and suffering in Gaza or acknowledged its own acts of genocide under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) rule.
AMLO stated that he would refrain from using these expressions in public because he believed they could lead to further disputes.
Those who support Palestinians argue that Mexico fails to challenge forced evictions, ethnic cleansing, and genocide in Israel. Many people see this division of duties as failing to support international law and human rights.
It is thought by journalists and experts that because Mexico buys technology and guidance from Israel for its military and economy, it is slow to criticize and is reluctant to cease relations. It is thought that these relationships give Mexico some motivation to show more support for Israel and less for Palestine.
Families of the victims have gathered to protest against Israel, which has at times resulted in confrontations with the Israeli consulate in Mexico City. According to groups backing Palestine, the government of Mexico must cut ties with Israel and firmly support the Palestinians. Activists committing themselves to the Palestinian cause are impatient with Mexico’s failure to back the recognition of Palestinian independence, which they think shatters their long-standing confidence in Mexico’s support for a Palestinian state.
Many groups and activists in Mexico say the government favors US and Israeli interests and places them higher than human rights. A number of people argue that Mexico is a “subordinate nation” owing to the fact that its policies are often affected by the US.
Trade and Economic Links
Mexico and Israel have strengthened their bilateral economic relations since the signing of a free trade agreement in 2000. Mexico imports pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agricultural technologies from Israel while it exports commodities, including crude oil and vehicles. The broader economic relationship provides background for military and diplomatic relations.
Does Mexico’s support for Israel reflect its economic and military ties?
Mexico’s military and economic connections with Israel have a big impact on its support for the country.
Israel is one of the main nations delivering military equipment and teaching strategies to Mexico. Mexico brings in Israeli companies to train its police and security forces, and it makes weapons and security purchases from Israel.
In addition to their military partnership, Mexico and Israel are expanding their economic links through trade in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agricultural technologies, and technology. Since they signed a free trade agreement in 2000, trade has grown gradually, with Mexico acquiring Israeli electronics and medications and exporting commodities to Israel like cars and crude oil.
Because Mexico’s economy depends so much on the US, its room for political engagement with other nations is also limited. Because of this dependence, Mexico often changes its usual policy and takes sides on issues related to Israel and Palestine, mainly due to efforts by Israeli and Palestinian lobbyists and the local Jewish and Arab populations in the country.
Domestic Political and Social Movements
There is significant domestic activism that puts pressure on Mexico’s position regarding Israel. All together, nearly 300 unions announced a suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel pertaining to its assault on Gaza. In Mexico City, there were mass protests against Israel’s policies and acts towards the Palestinian territories, which often turned violent and into clashes with police in front of the Israeli consulate. This activism demonstrates a clash within public opinion and pressure on policymakers.
President Obrador and the government of Mexico have stopped short of either making key public pronouncements about Israel or diplomatically abandoning the relationship, while protestors and critics have raised concerns about the country´s relationship with Israel and its actions in Gaza. Some experts suggest its relationship with Israel is partly a byproduct of its overall alliance with the United States, and other business or military relationship with Israel.
How does Mexico’s dependence on the US influence its stance on Israel?
Being mostly dependent on the United States leads Mexico to adopt a careful, middle-of-the-road approach in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Because of Mexico’s close trade relations with the US and the influence of pro-Israel lobbies, statements criticizing Israel are not allowed.
Because of how strongly Mexico depends on these allies, it avoids upsetting them, mostly during conflicts or crises with Israel. To remain friends with both states and avoid risk to its alliance with the US, Mexico has chosen to remain neutral on the Israel-Palestine issue.
Mexico does not mention Israel’s military behavior negatively in official statements, hoping to maintain good relations with the US and Israel, though it does denounce terrorism and state its support for Israel’s safety. Mexico has preferred diplomatic restraint by choosing not to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv, even during disagreements. The main problem is that Mexico’s economy and politics are closely connected with the US, and the US normally backs Israel.
The existence and influence of the Jewish and Arab communities in Mexico also shaped policy. In this regard, analysts refer to Mexico as a “subordinate nation,” whose ability to adopt autonomous or more critical positions on Israel is limited by the necessity to support or avoid conflict with US interests.
Legal and Human Rights Advocacy
Mexico supports ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes by Israel and advocates for a two-state solution as a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It seeks to balance condemnation of terrorism with calls for protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law, portraying a nuanced stance in international forums such as the UN.
Why does Mexico support Israel?
Mexico supports Israel because it recognizes Israel’s right to respond under international law to terrorist groups like Hamas, which attacked it on October 7, 2023. Mexico condemns terrorism and feels Israel should be allowed to defend itself and its population from such threats.
1. Concern for global safety and adherence to the law
Again emphasizing its policy of peace, Mexico says Israel should ensure its defense actions are based on international humanitarian law and its principles of necessity and proportionality.
2. Having a balanced strategy for achieving peace
The government of Mexico, in UN resolutions, supports the creation of a Palestinian state that can live peacefully with Israel within recognized and safe boundaries and that considers Israel’s justifiable security issues.
3. Collaboration in defense and business
Mexico and Israel both participate in major contracts for security education, technology, and weapon sales. Because of these links, Mexico is generally perceived as cautious and in favor of Israel.
4. How much American influence continues to affect its diplomacy
Being so close to the United States, which is a big backer of Israel, affects Mexico’s global approach and inspires it to stay supportive but not too involved.
5. Concerns about humanitarian matters and calling for peace
Mexico takes an even-handed posture and supports Israel’s defense rights, calls for an end to civilian deaths, urges Israel to accept aid, and asks for a halt in fighting.
