Venezuela: The Jewish community has been reduced by 50% in 10 years

The economy, insecurity and anti-Semitic attacks contribute to rise in migration

It seems like the Jewish community of Venezuela has started its own diaspora. The figures by the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela (CAIV) show that half of this sector of the population has fled the country for various reasons.

"10 years ago we were 18,000; we are now around 9,500 (members of the Jewish community)", the president of the CAIV, Solomon Cohen, told the Jerusalem Post.

According to the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism, based in Tel Aviv, the number of Jews in Venezuela came to 15,000 in 2008, meaning that in one year, approximately 5,500 have left the country - the majority of Venezuelan Jews.

Cohen explained that there are three reasons why the Jewish community are leaving the country: "First, the economy has not been well for the past 10 years, second security in general is very bad. We have many murders", he says.

According to the president of the CAIV, the third reason for emigration is anti-Semitic attacks. He affirmed that there have been 200 events against the Jewish community.

Fears

Cohen Solomon is in Jerusalem, where he presented the report on the reality of the community to the World Jewish Congress. The security issue of the Venezuelan Jewish population was addressed.

"The biggest concern for Venezuela's Jewish community is its fear that some of the statements by the President, Hugo Chavez, be transformed into a situation of violence against Jews", he told the Jewish News Agency, Saul Gilvich, general secretary American Jewish Congress.

The President of the Delegation of Israeli Associations of Argentina (DAIA), Aldo Donzis, confirmed that "there is a permanent concern" within the Jewish community of Venezuela because of the constant anti-Semitic manifestations in the press".

Indeed, the latest report published by the Stephen Roth Institute on Anti-Semitism in Venezuela - for 2008-2009 - mentions that most anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist expressions come from circles close to the President, Hugo Chávez, and details the comments made officials and supporters of the president in the state-owned media.

However, the president of the CAIV stresses the need to maintain dialogue with the Venezuelan government, which had a breakthrough with Chavez's meeting with world leaders and representatives of the Jewish community of Venezuela on August 13, 2008.

"We have direct communication with government departments responsible for providing security", said Cohen, adding that those lines of communication are well established, "although we wish we had more than that".

Meanwhile, the Israeli government monitors the situation. The Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rafael Barak, and the Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora, Yuli Edelstein, both attended the World Jewish Congress.

Source: http://politica.eluniversal.com/2010/09/02/pol_art_la-comunidad-judia-s_2024759.shtml

Venezuela: Syria Strengthens an Alliance Against Israel in Latin America

"The Syrian community in the country is deeply committed to the revolutionary struggle and is the protagonist of the Bolivarian Revolution" ... "We need to unite with the Arab people. Bashar has contributed to this. We have common enemies: the genocidal state of Israel and the U.S. empire. We have the same goals: to lead a socialist revolution," the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez Frias, said on Sunday (27/06/2010) at the Palace of Miraflores.

Chavez is "an Arab leader" and is "in the heart of the Arab world”, President Assad said among applauses during his speech in front of hundreds of enthusiastic guests. "We are not flattering; it's the truth. We see his position on Gaza, we see the historical position of Venezuela," the Syrian president added.

Report:

The Syrian President, Bashar Assad, visited Caracas last weekend, before heading to Brazil and Argentina, on a tour of political and economic character that also included Cuba. This tour was essentially of political content, aimed at building an anti-Israeli alliance with the so-called “Bolivarian axis” and two of the most solid supporters of Syria in Latin America: the intermediary President Hugo Chavez and his colleagues Lula da Silva and Cristina Fernandez. It is interesting how, in all of these countries, except Cuba, there is a large colony of Syrian origin (in Argentina they even put Menem as a tenant of the Casa Rosada).

The Syrian leader has also received the full backing of the Venezuelan president to regain the Golan Heights from Israel, suggesting that Venezuela would provide every means at its disposal to achieve this goal. Assad and Chavez are committed to supporting all of Iran’s initiatives, both those designed to circumvent the sanctions adopted by the UN over its nuclear program (and later compounded by those adopted by the United States and the European Union), and those designed to harass Israel before the international public opinion; for example, by sending successive so-called "humanitarian fleet" to the Gaza Strip.

In their proclamations to forge this new alliance, the two presidents have self-identified as “the axis of the brave", as opposed to the "axis of evil" coined by former U.S. President George W. Bush. Indeed, although President Obama does not use that term – which originally referred to Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, and subsequently amended, – this has not eased the pressure on whom the United States considers sources of terrorist activities or necessary cooperators, under which Tehran and Damascus are still classified.

In the same political line, Bashar Assad has also reaffirmed with Raul Castro Syrian their support for Syrian claims, coupled with those of the Palestinian people. Although the statements condemning Israel have not been as raucous in Havana as they have been in Caracas, the international attempt to marginalize Israel is the same. Moreover, the political identification of the three leaders – Chavez, Castro, and Assad – albeit through different procedures, practically agree.

To complete the agenda, the tour also has an economic and commercial component, although of much smaller scale than that of the political section. There are several agreements being signed to promote bilateral trade, on top of investments in strategic sectors. It is particularly important to build a refinery in Syria, in which 33% of the capital would be Venezuelan, and the remaining 67% would be Syrian, Iranian and Malaysian. The technology will be provided entirely by Caracas. This enhanced relationship will also require expanding the regular air links. The Caracas-Tehran mysterious flight that connects the two capitals every week, with a load that has aroused many suspicions according to the secret services of several countries, could include a stopover in Damascus. However, encouraging tourism may not be the main objective of this action.

Bilateral Agreements:

The Ministers of Agriculture from Venezuela and Syria will produce and distribute olive oil and cotton together. The agreement between the two countries was announced on Saturday night (6/26/2010) in a ceremony held in the Miraflores presidential palace, after a long working meeting between the presidents of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, and Syria, Bashar Al Assad, on his visit to Caracas.

All in all, the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, offered to the member countries of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), to include Syria as an observer country of the forthcoming summit of the group. "Although it is something I first consult with the other dignitaries of the member states, I do not think there any objection to achieve it," Chavez said.

Other Declarations:

"Long live Syria! We had a wonderful family time with the Syrian community. I feel like a son of Syria, and you should all feel like children of Venezuela. Jose Marti, the Cuban national hero, said: Homeland is Humanity ", emphasized President Chávez.

The president saw this visit and the signing of agreements as highly strategic, "in order to strengthen the integration of our peoples."

"Capitalism is the greatest enemy of the people. Only with socialism we will be free. We must work hard to consolidate the new pluriplural world, and rid the world from the clutches of imperialism ", he confirmed.


Translated from Bnai Brith Venezuela
Source: http://www.bnaibrith.org.ve/noticias.php?idcat=3&tipo=12

Venezuela's Chavez meets with Syrian President Bashar Assad, vows to fight US 'imperialism'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday and called on Latin America and the Arab world to fight what he called America's imperialist and capitalist interests abroad.

During a meeting at Venezuela's presidential palace, Chavez told Assad it was an honor to host the Syrian leader on his first visit to Latin America. Chavez presented Assad with a gold-plated replica of a sword that once belonged to South American independence hero Simon Bolivar — the inspiration for his "Bolivarian Revolution."

The two leaders signed an agreement to create a $100 million trade and development fund.

"Arab civilization and our civilization, the Latin American one, are being summoned in this new century to play the fundamental role of liberating the world, saving the world from the imperialism and capitalist hegemony that threaten the human species," Chavez said. "Syria and Venezuela are at the vanguard of this struggle."

Assad praised Chavez for standing up to the United States and supporting the Palestinian struggle.

"There are few politicians who are courageous to speak out when it's necessary," he said through an interpreter. "Chavez has projected the image of a resistant Venezuela."

Assad strongly criticized Israel, calling the Jewish state's government "extremist" and condemning its blockade of Gaza.

"The resistance must be supported," he said.

Chavez is perhaps Latin's America's most outspoken critic of the United States, lashing out at the U.S. government for purportedly conspiring against him and meddling in the region's affairs. U.S. officials, in turn, have raised concerns that Chavez is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Chavez also took a dig at the U.S. soccer team, celebrating Ghana's 2-0 victory of the Americans in a decisive World Cup match earlier on Saturday. "What a blast! Ghana won, Ghana defeated the United States," he said.

Chavez also condemned the U.N. Security Council for tightening sanctions against Iran as a means of curbing development of the Islamic state's nuclear program.

Assad said all nations, including Iran, "have the right to develop nuclear energy."

Chavez has built close diplomatic relations with Syria, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries while severing Venezuela's ties to Israel. Last year, the socialist leader visited Syria, where he called Israel an imperialist nation that annihilates its neighbors and accused its government of doing Washington's bidding by trying to divide the Middle East.

Following his meeting with Chavez, Assad is slated to travel to Cuba, Brazil and Argentina.


Original article: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/26/venezuelas-chavez-meets-syrian-president-bashar-assad-vows-fight-imperialism/

Venezuela: Post-Flotilla Reactions in Venezuela

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published a report about rising anti-Semitism in Venezuela, in the aftermath of the Gaza flotilla incident. The report includes a list of remarks made by Hugo Chaves and some other key government officials, as well as a list of articles from the Venezuelan press.

As per usual, Aporrea published heavy anti-Israel and anti-Semitic content. ADL translated excerpts of some of the articles since the flotilla incident. However, it is interesting to see the amount of articles (of course, pejorative) that were published about the matter in early June. Links to Aporrea's archive (in Spanish, but it is possible to understand key words): June 1 June 2 June 3 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 7 Translations using GoogleTranslate: June 1 June 2 June 3 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 7

Lastly, the ADL also compiled anti-Israel and anti-Semitic cartoons from the Venezuelan media that relate to the flotilla accident.

It is a shame what has become of Venezuela. We can only hope that the situation does not get much worse and that the world is well-informed of the extreme anti-Israel and anti-Semitic movements that this country is producing, many times sponsored or even generated by Chaves’ government.

Venezuela: “Chavez Imports Mid East Conflict to Latin America as Cover Up for Local Rights Violations”

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez called on his Bolivia and Nicaragua allies to assault Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva during the debate on the Gaza flotilla.

The move was directed by Venezuelan ally, Iran’s Ahmadinejad, thus importing the Mid East conflict into Latin America.

Both presidents have exploited the well-known tactic of Jewish conspiracy to cover up their domestic rights violations.

Hugo Chávez now accuses Israel of “financing the Venezuelan opposition, the counter-revolution”, and that “there are Mossad commandos who want to murder me.” He added provocatively that “I doubt that a Venezuelan Jew would support such an atrocity”.

“This transposition of the Arab-Israeli conflict exposes Latin America to an Iranian influence that endangers hard won democracy and, especially, Jewish communities across the continent. The OAS must hold Chávez to account for the consequences”, said Dr. Shimon Samuels, Director for International Relations of the Simon Wiesenthal Center

“In January, 2009, following Chavez’ expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador, a pro-government group published a plan of action against the Jewish community. This was followed by the desecration of the Mariperez Synagogue”, added Sergio Widder, Director for Latin America of the Center.


Original article: http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441467&ct=8424051

Venezuela: “11 Thousand Years of Palestinian History”

The Venezuelan Ministry of Culture promoted an academic-cultural event called “Palestine, 11 Thousand Years of History” (“Palestina, 11 mil años de Historia"). It took place between the 12 and 16 of May, and it was organized by several cultural, leftist and pro-Palestinian organizations. The event’s goal was to “provide a small sample of the cultural heritage of an ancient nation that refuses to disappear, a victim of cruelty, occupation and death”. The event consisted of documentaries, conferences, art galleries, debates, musical presentations, and Arab food.

The Ministry of Culture’s press release includes comments such as “a rich and diverse ancient culture, which suffers the consequences of imperial ambition”. The Venezuelan government is promoting the false idea that the Palestinians have populated the land of Israel for 11 thousand years, without even attributing any claims of Jewish history to it, or without mentioning any of the conquests that took place throughout the millennia. This is misleading for the average visitor who is not supplied with accurate factual information, and it falsely presents the Jews as new residents who have randomly come to “colonize” this land.

In addition, Susana Khali, one of the organizers, mentioned that “[…] Not only land is being stolen from the Palestinian people, but also their history. The true descendants of the ancient people of Israel are the Palestinian people and not the Nazis, Aryans and Europeans. […] The idea is to think about solving the conflict. This conflict has a solution, and any solution rests on the foundations of justice, the fight is for a single State, the right of return of the Palestinian people to their land, with the goal of ending the system of Israeli colonial horror, to put an end to Zionism, a racist ideology which violates all human essence. […] Zionism is a racist school of thought that was born in the bosom of a white European bourgeoisie, based on supremacism and denial of others. We should condemn racism, at all costs. It's about fighting for the strength of any people in the world; the Palestinians call for their right to exist as a people. […] The Palestinian people gave Christianity to the world, Judaism to the world. Christianity was not born in Europe; it was born in Palestine. It is Palestinian heritage, the stalls are a Palestinian heritage, the cross is a Palestinian heritage, and we are being driven out of history, The implementation of agriculture was born in 8,000 BC from the Canaanite people, who descended from the Canaanite people, Bethlehem was founded in 4,000 BC, Jerusalem was founded in 6,000 BC, Jericho was founded between 9,000 and 10,000 BC. Where is that history? Palestine is a prohibited people, a censured people, whose history is prohibited because we live under a dictatorial, supremacist, racist, totalitarian and totally repressive international regime. […] We tell the Mossad, the Israeli service of intelligence and penetration, that if they're going to bomb Gaza, they should also come for the Palestinians who are abroad, scattered throughout the world clamoring for our right to return. There are two Palestines: an occupied Palestine and a wandering Palestine. We want to return and fight for the right to be Palestinian. We believe we can live together, but only by ending the regime of apartheid, like any people living in the world, with equal rights."

Sources:
http://www.minci.gob.ve/actualidad/2/198968/inaugurado_ii_evento.html

Anti-Semitic news articles published in Venezuelan media between April 26 and May 3, 2010

Bn’ai Brith Venezuela compiles a weekly list of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel news pieces from the main media in the country. Most of these articles have shocking titles or content, which is why it is important to translate this list into English and diffuse it globally. I try to translate as closely as possible to the Spanish version, so that the essence of the information is preserved. I have also searched for the original article on the internet, if it is available.

SPECIAL NOTE: I have left the Spanish term "Cisjordania" instead of substituting it for "Judea and Samaria", "the West Bank", "the disputed territories", or similar expressions, since each name carries its own connotation.


ANTI-ISRAEL AND ANTI-ZIONISM

21/04/2010 – National Association of Community, Free and Alternative Press (ANMCLA). Title: Mercosur FTA - Israel: the Southern Bloc Seals its Complicity with the Apartheid Zionist Regime (TLC Mercosur - Israel: El bloque sureño sella su complicidad con el régimen sionista de Apartheid) Link

26-04-2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Gabriela Barradas. Title: The Right Rules Us (La derecha nos gobierna) Link
“The private media prevents us from exercising true freedom of choice, from expressing ourselves, and turn us into alienated masses that serve the interests of the Zionist market and the Opus Dei mafia.”

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By José Sant Roz. Title: Moisés Naim: A Venezuelan Falcon Fed with McChicken (Moisés Naim: Un halcón venezolano alimentado con Mcpollo) Link
“This Zionist man, Moisés Naim, has dedicated extensive works to the topic of corruption and has received blunt replies…”

27/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). The evening news.
Piece about “Palestinians protest against Israeli oppression in occupied territories.”

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Lucio Aranguren. Title: Response to an Old Priest Friend (Respuesta a un viejo amigo sacerdote) Link
“Every day, children, women and elderly die in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, because of the whim of a few…”

27/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel’s website (government-managed). From a news agency’s report. Link
“The President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmoud Abbas, stated that he was hopeful about possible advances for dialogue towards a peace process in the Middle East, in spite of Israel’s intransigence with respect to its colonialist policy over the occupied Palestinian territories.”

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Javier Monagas Maita. Title: From Noriega to Uribe. Only Yanquee Interests Deprive (De Noriega a Uribe. Solo los intereses yanquis privan) Link
“Question: Why is it that the yanquee Zionist assassin empire is so ungrateful?”

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Manuel Taibo. Title: To Understand the Truth (Para entender la verdad) Link
“We immediately recognize that dogma systems, like those of fascism and Zionism-imperialism, are even worse than religions.”

27/04/2010 – Venezuelan Television Channel (state-owned channel). Show: “Dossier”. Conducted by Walter Martínez.
Using videos, he remembered a young woman who was ran over by Israeli bulldozers in 2003 and emphasized how this tragedy occurred in front of the cameras of accredited reporters. He also showed images of the detention of a Palestinian protester in Cisjordania, and of Israeli soldiers throwing chemical liquids to camera-people and photographers to prevent recording.

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By David Goebmann and Fabian Scheidler. Title: The Mulás are Not Suicidal (Los mulás no son suicidas) Link
Interview with Noam Chomsky. Interview with the U.S. professor in which he criticizes Israel’s nuclear arsenal.

28/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). Morning news.
It spread images of East Jerusalem titled “Jerusalem mayor ratifies Palestinian colonization plan” (should be Israeli colonization plan; there is a headline error). It also spread news agency reports about “marches in solidarity for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails”, commenting about the “difficult” humanitarian conditions to which they are subjected.

28/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Alfredo Jalife-Rahme. Title: The Unqualified Anglo-Saxon “Qualifying Agencies” (Las descalificadas “agencias calificadoras” anglosajonas) Link
Arguments that it is a waste of time to go into depth about the very boring obscene deceits of Israeli-Anglo-Saxon dark banking, which [Aporrea] has already denounced since it put into evidence the “dark side of globalization.”

28/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed).
“Syria attributes the little opportunity for peace in the Middle East to Israel’s bellicose position.”

28/04/2010 – Venezuelan National Radio (state-owned station).
Israel: Palestinians are arrested and expulsed from Cisjordania. Since April 13, the definition of “infiltrated individual” has been extended to include every person that is found in Cisjordania with no permission from Tel Aviv. Israel persists in its campaign of arrests and expulsions of Palestinians in the Cisjordania area.

28/04/2010 – Venezuelan Television Channel (state-owned channel). Show: “La Hojilla”. Conducted by Mario Silva.
It makes reference to the “person linked to Zionism that manipulated history.” It then broadcasts a video with declarations from professor Heinz Sonntag.

28-04-2010 – Bolivarian News Agency (State’s press agency).
Diffuses a report titled: UN demands that Israel resumes peace process in the Middle East. (ONU reclama a Israel reanudar proceso de paz en Medio Oriente.)

29/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). The morning news.
“Due to the Israeli blockade, Palestinians are forced to use tunnels to bring food into Gaza, and Egypt attacked these tunnels because of Israeli pressure, killing 5 Palestinians.”

29/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Javier Alexander Roa. Title: Official Visit to Israel? (¿Visita oficial a Israel?) Link
“The Colombian Chancellor has in his agenda a meeting with Jewish Colonizers, with the Israeli President, Shimon Peres, and the Chief of the Mossad. Likewise, he has in his agenda a visit to the old city of Al Quds, or Jerusalem as is wrongly called by the Zionists.”

30/04/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). The morning news.
It reiterates that “since 1967, Palestinian territory is occupied by Israeli forces.”

03/05/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). The morning news.
It showed images of a soccer championship in Gaza to commemorate three years of Israel’s economic blockade to the Palestinians. Additionally, it shows the testimonial of a Palestinian soccer player who complains about Israeli professional soccer teams competing internationally, while the Palestinians cannot even travel to Jerusalem for a friendly match.


ANTI-JUDAISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM

27/04/2010 – Aporrea (government-managed). By Francisco Natera. Title: María Corina Machado in open panoramic screen (María Corina Machado en pantalla panorámica abierta...) Link
“The Machado Zuloaga are a curse that was sent to us, I don’t know where from, because even Jews as they are, they were already here during the colonization, and their fortune was as big as the Bolivar’s, and this because of smuggling.”

03/05/2010 – Telesur TV channel (government-managed). The morning news.
International news agency’s report about Israel called: Ultra-Orthodox Individuals against Law that Bans Commerce in Animal Fur (Ultra-ortodoxos en contra de ley que prohíbe comercio con pieles de animales). In images, it shows religious Jews (specifically chasiddim from Breslov) selling and wearing fur hats.

Latin America: Iran's Commercial Battlefield

It seems like Iran is taking advantage of the global economic crisis to increased its commercial presence in Latin America, in order to reduce the United States' influence in the region. In 2008, Iran's trade with Latin America was reportedly US$2.9 billion, triple what it was in 2007. Although nominally it may not seem like a lot, the growth rates from 2007 are astonishing. For example:
- Argentina: US$1.2 billion in 2008 (from US$30 million in 2007)
- Ecuador: US$168 million in 2008 (from US$6 million in 2007)
- Venezuela: US$52 million in 2008 (+31% from 2007)
- Cuba: US$50 million in 2008 (+50% from 2007)
(Data: 4/12/09, UPI and 6/4/10, Reuters)

It is public knowledge that Latin American leaders, such as Hugo Chaves in Venezuela and Raul Castro in Cuba, allow Ahmadinejad to step into the region to "liberate" it from the United States' economic and social "imperialistic domination". This is not surprising – we have seen Ahmadinejad and Chaves shake hands on multiple occasions. Just a few weeks ago, Cuba announced increased cooperation with Iran in the fields of biotechnology and sugar, as part of its global commercial diversification plan to overcome its liquidity crisis. (6/4/10, Reuters) Cuba and Venezuela even attended Iran's nuclear conference in April.

What is really surprising (and preoccupying) is the strengthening of economic relations between Iran and some of the more independent and advanced Latin American countries, which also host a large number of Jews. Ahmadinejad's government recently announced that Brazil and Argentina are its two strongest commercial allies in Latin America, respectively. Mohsen Shaterzadeh Yazdi, Iran's ambassador in Brazil, described Latin America as the battlefield in its confrontation with "arrogant powers", obviously referring to the United States. (6/4/10, Prensa Judía)

Simultaneously, Brazil's Chancellor, Celso Amorim, defended Brazil's policy of sustaining economic ties with Iran. He argued that it is still possible to use dialog in order to reach an agreement that will allow the international community to watch Iran's nuclear plans. Amorim also said that the United States' policies will only radicalize Iran and make its people suffer more, since economic sanctions will hurt the poor classes more. (6/4/10, Reuters) Argentina's extremist politician Luis D'Elia (practically Ahmadinejad's lobby envoy in Buenos Aires) regularly holds meetings with government officials in Iran, as well as with Argentinean businesspeople to create commercial partnerships with Iran. He even advocated that Argentina should not only develop multimillion business deals with Iran, but also sign an agreement for nuclear cooperation to enrich uranium. (4/4/10, Infobae)

Just the fact that Latin American countries are expanding their commercial ties with Iran in a time when the developed world is trying to raise sanctions against it, is a red flag in its own. In some cases, these nations simply may be looking for ways to mitigate the effect of the economic crisis on their trade balances. Some others may reflect genuine willingness to have Iran as a partner. What is certain is that, while it is unlikely that Iranian-Latin American trade will make a material shift in the global markets, the region has the potential to fortify Iran's economy. The potential of Latin American's vast natural resources, large population and strategic geographical position is significant, especially if combined with the wrong political alliances.

"Israel Apartheid Week" reaches Latin America

Last month, several universities around the world took part in the sixth yearly "Israel Apartheid Week" (IAW). Three Latin American cities took part in IAW 2010: Bogotá (Colombia), Puebla (Mexico) and Caracas (Venezuela). This is the second year on the list for both Puebla (2008, but not 2009) and Caracas (2009), while it is Bogotá’s first. No other Latin American cities have ever participated.

The programs consisted of the typical activities: flyers, movies, lectures, exhibitions, and events that attack Israel fiercely. Each city that hosts an IAW has its own programming. However, the common denominator among all cities is that many (if not most) of the organizers are stubbornly biased against Israel. They often twist words and facts, and employ manipulation techniques that, as a result, may leave the audience with wrong information. A perfect example of this is found on the description for an event in IAW Puebla, 'Velas por Gaza' ('Candles for Gaza'.) It reads: "En memoria de todos las victimas que han muerto bajo el control, represión, intifadas del Gobierno Sionista de Israel." (Israel Apartheid Week website) Translation: "In memory of all the victims that have died under the control, repression and intifadas of the Zionist Government of Israel."

According to Merriam-Webster, an intifada means "REBELLION, UPRISING; specifically : an armed uprising of Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip." Do the organizers in Puebla really know what an intifada is? Perhaps they simply do not understand that the Palestinians own the patent for carrying them out. In addition, they refer to the Israeli government as 'Zionist.' Zionism is the desire of the Jewish people to return to their homeland in the Land of Israel, thus defines by nature the Israeli government. It is also a word that is commonly demonized by anti-Israel groups, who commonly employ it as a synonym of nonsense expressions, including "Israeli apartheid."

Venezuela is one of the few Latin American countries to recognize "the State of Palestine." Full diplomatic relations, including mutual embassies, were established last year. (27/4/09, TeleSurTV) The Venezuelan government even promoted IAW Caracas. Aporrea (a Venezuelan government-owned "news" agency) published an article about the event last month, which begins with "Anótenlo en sus calendarios! – El pueblo bolivariano se solidariza con el pueblo Palestino en La sexta semana internacional contra el apartheid israelí se celebrará en todo el mundo del 1 al 8 de marzo, 2010. […] El año pasado Caracas y más de 40 ciudades de todo el mundo participaron en esta convocatoria, que tuvo lugar tras el brutal asalto contra el pueblo palestino de la franja de Gaza." (Aporrea, 2/3/10) Translation: "Mark down your calendars! – The Bolivarian nation is showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. The sixth international week against Israeli apartheid will be celebrated around the world from the 1st to the 8th of March, 2010. […] Last year, Caracas and more than 40 cities around the world participated in this event, which took place after the brutal assault against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

While Mexico and Colombia do not formally recognize a Palestinian state, there is some sort of acknowledgement since each of these countries host a Palestinian Special Delegation.

The Latin American branch of the Simon Wiesenthal Center offered the universities involved to "assist in organizing campus activities to promote dialogue and a culture of peace, while isolating voices of hatred and intolerance." (Simon Wiesenthal Center, 18/3/10)