An anti-Semitic book has been removed from bookstores in Mexico as a result of a protest to the publisher by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.
According to Abraham Foxman, ADL’s associate national director, the book, “Palestina: Del Judio Errante Al Judio Errado ” (Palestine: From the Wandering Jew to the Wronging Jew), a 94-page paperback in Spanish whose author is listed as “Rius,” is a distortion of Jewish history. Foxman characterized it as “the most virulent, hate-ridden, violence-prone piece of literature that has been produced so far in Mexico.”
In removing the book from sale, the publisher, Grijalbo, an international firm headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, told Foxman that the book had been printed by its Mexican branch “without having informed us.”
The telex sent by Juan Grijalbo noted that the firm had published “several pro-Jewish books” and added: “Have just received a sample of Rius’ book and attending to your request, we ordered our Mexican branch to block all its stock as well as deliver no orders of this title.”
Acknowledging the communication, Foxman expressed his appreciation to Grijalbo for the publisher’s prompt, responsive action. Describing the paperback as “chock full of anti-Semitic propaganda in both its narrative and cartoon illustrations,” Foxman went on to say it was “all the more pernicious because it is written in a readable style and is low-priced.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
