President Vicente Fox of Mexico Salutes American Jewish Committee

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 4 May 2001

Mexico's President Vicente Fox last night saluted the American Jewish Committee as a "pioneer in the defense of human rights, for its intense work in favor of liberty, justice, and understanding between ethnic, racial and religious groups, not only in the United States, but also in the rest of the world."

Addressing the American Jewish Committee Annual Dinner, President Fox spoke about American-Mexican relations, Mexico's relationship with Israel, and the important contributions the Jewish communities in Mexico and U.S. have made to each country and to their bilateral relations.

"Mexico and the United States are intricately bound by the profound ties that unite Mexican and Mexican-American communities with their country of origin. But we also have strong ties between our respective Jewish communities, which on a daily basis work for the benefit of our nations," President Fox said.

AJC has an association agreement with La Tribuna Israelita, the principal Jewish organization in Mexico. President Fox acknowledged the presence of Mexican Jewish leaders at the dinner, attended by more than 1300 people. An AJC leadership delegation met with Mr. Fox last October in Mexico City.

President Fox said he is pleased to count on the support of the Jewish communities, both in Mexico and the United States in promoting a new, ever-closer relationship, focusing on addressing the economic and social challenges migration pose to both Mexico and the United States.

"I am sure that all of you, by virtue of your experience and your firm commitment to the cause of tolerance and respect for diversity, will be able to understand the profound human dimension of the phenomenon of Mexican migration to the United States and its implications for our two societies," he told the American Jewish Committee.

Mexicans in the U.S. "often are the victims of intolerance, xenophobia, and racist attitudes. I'm very aware that others share our concern about this complex problem," said President Fox, adding, "You can make an important contribution so that both countries view migration as an enriching process."

Wherever Jews have settled, including in Mexico and the United States, he said, they have made major contributions, as he drew a comparison between the historical Jewish experiences with the flow of migrants from Mexico to the United States.

"Although for reasons very different from those of the Jewish people, Mexico has also become a country of migrants who, through their skills and hard work, contribute to the prosperity and cultural life of the communities where they have settled, particularly in the United States," President Fox said.

Currently there are some 8 million Mexican-born migrants and 11 million Mexican-Americans living in the United States, he said.

Turning to Mexican-Israeli relations, President Fox said, "Mexico played a central role in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947. As Israel's friend and partner, Mexico will continue to support an integral peace process in the region."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org