News News Guadalajara Protest against Israel on eve of Guadalajara's famed Book Fair
Protest against Israel on eve of Guadalajara's famed Book Fair
- Details
- Published on Friday, 29 November 2013 15:33
- Written by Michael Forbes
Around 40 people gathered at the Minerva Fountain Friday morning to protest the presence of Israel as the invited country at this year's International Book Fair (FIL).
After demonstrators unfurled Palestinian flags and anti-Israeli banners, a representative read aloud from a manifesto titled "Israel: not welcome in Mexico."
The group then marched to the nearby Israeli consulate.
The protest had been convened by ContraFIL, a collective of civic groups that has been highly critical of the FIL's business model and its polemic director, former University of Guadalajara rector Raul Padilla.
FIL – the largest literary gathering on the American continent – opens Saturday morning, when Israeli President Shimon Peres will cut the ribbon at his country's 1,750-square-meter pavilion.
More than 200 Israeli cultural activities are planned in Guadalajara during the nine-day fair.
Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval greeted Peres as he arrived at the Zapopan Air base after a short flight from Mexico City on Friday morning.
Heavy security has been visible around Expo Guadalajara from midweek and additional federal police officers and soldiers are expected for Peres' arrival on Saturday.
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