Dozens of students set up anti-Israel encampment at Mexico’s largest university

By AFP 3 May 2024, 6:31 am 5 Edit

Activists from the Interuniversity and Popular Assembly in Solidarity with the People of Palestine erect a tent in front of the rectory building of the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) as part of a camp to protest Israel, in Mexico City on May 2, 2024. (Yuri Cortez/AFP)

MEXICO CITY — Dozens of pro-Palestinian students from Mexico’s largest university camp in solidarity with similar protests against Israel that have swept colleges in the United States.

Mounting flags and chanting “Long live free Palestine,” the protesters set up tents in front of the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s (UNAM) head office in Mexico City.

The students call on the Mexican government to break diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel.

“We are here to support Palestine, the people who are in Palestine, and the student camps in the United States,” says Valentino Pino, a 19-year-old philosophy student.

Jimena Rosas, 21, says she hopes the protest will have a domino effect and spread to other universities in the country.

“Once people see that UNAM is beginning to mobilize, other universities should start as well,” she says.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.