Claudia Sheinbaum Takes a Stand: Mexico Acknowledges the State of Palestine
Amid Israel’s aggressive wave of bombings in the Gaza Strip, Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, has sent a clear message to the world. Last Wednesday, she officially recognized the State of Palestine.
According to national media reports, Sheinbaum received the credentials of 23 ambassadors, including Nadya Rasheed, the new Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Mexico.
“Mexico has had a longstanding position of recognizing both the Palestinian State and the State of Israel,” said Sheinbaum, who is Jewish. “This has been the policy of the Mexican government for years, emphasizing the need to recognize both states and build a peaceful solution.”
Claudia Sheinbaum Upholds Her Government’s Position on Israeli Actions
This is not the first time the President of Mexico has advocated for a peaceful resolution regarding Israeli actions in Palestinian territory. Just last January, Sheinbaum emphasized the need for a ceasefire agreement. Months earlier, amid the Israeli invasion, she had expressed her support for a two-state solution.
In October 2024, shortly after taking office, Sheinbaum stated that the Palestinian State should be fully recognized.
Sheinbaum Changes the Tone of the Mexican Government
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 50,082 Palestinians have died since the beginning of Israel’s war in the territory, with international observatories confirming around 113,408 injured, the majority being children and women.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the Mexican government remained neutral at the start. The previous president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, only occasionally voiced his desire for a peaceful solution. However, since Sheinbaum took office, the government’s stance has become more assertive. Although Mexico joined an open complaint against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May 2024, the new president has been more vocal in her rhetoric.
Mexico Joins the International Democratic Voice
With Sheinbaum’s decision to receive Ambassador Nadya Rasheed, Mexico joins Spain, Norway, and Ireland in recognizing Palestine as a state.
Rasheed has an extensive diplomatic background in Latin America. Her previous role in Uruguay and her new appointment in Mexico demonstrate Palestine’s interest in securing international support.
“What an honor and a privilege to meet a leader who embodies the true essence of humanity—championing human rights for all, regardless of religion or heritage, as the world should strive to do,” Rasheed expressed on social media.
The Mexican Government Remains Vigilant Amid Continued Aggression
In light of Israel’s recent violation of the ceasefire, the stance of nations like Mexico is more urgent than ever. In just three days, at least 600 Palestinians have died due to the ongoing bombings, most of them children.
After these developments, the Mexican Foreign Ministry expressed its “deep concern” over Israel’s breach of the ceasefire agreement. “Mexico condemns the loss of innocent civilian lives and urgently calls for respect for international humanitarian law, a ceasefire that facilitates humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of remaining hostages, and the resumption of negotiations for lasting peace in the region,” stated the Foreign Ministry.
Given that Claudia Sheinbaum, the first female president of Mexico and a Jewish leader, is sending such strong messages to the world, her stance is both radical and necessary.
