AFP journalists report that riots broke out overnight between police and a group of 200 angry protesters outside the Israeli embassy in Mexico. The demonstrators, participating in a protest called “Urgent Action for Rafah,” were denouncing the Israeli military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. The unrest followed an Israeli strike on a displacement camp near Rafah that killed 45 people earlier in the week. 

Some protesters covered their faces and threw stones at riot police who blocked their path to the diplomatic complex in the city’s Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood.

Around 200 people joined the “Urgent Action for Rafah” demonstration, about 30 of whom started to break down barriers preventing them from reaching the Israeli mission.

Police officers deployed tear gas and threw back the stones hurled at them by protesters.-AFP 

According to The Jewish Chronicle, “Rioters on Tuesday set fire to the Israeli Embassy,” adding, “The riot came after Mexico filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s “genocide” case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.” 

There has been no official confirmation of fire damage to the embassy.

Here’s what happened last night:

BREAKING NEWS: Protesters have just set fire to the Israeli embassy in Mexico City. pic.twitter.com/pDtB990mjn

— Karim Wafa-Al Hussaini (@DrKarimWafa) May 29, 2024

A violent pro-Hamas demonstration involving hundreds of people outside the Israeli embassy in Mexico City, overnight. The aggressors tried to break through fences, threw grenades of various kinds and Molotov cocktails, and attempted to set the embassy on fire.

At least six… pic.twitter.com/OlOjmwgmYC

— 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑠 (@chiIIum) May 29, 2024

In protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Mexican protesters escalate outside the Israeli embassy in Mexico City, starting a fire, trying to break through the fence, and throwing Molotov cocktails. pic.twitter.com/YvaKRjkm8a

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 29, 2024

Carnage in Mexico as rioters set fire to the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City and hurl stones and bricks at police during an ‘Action for Rafah’ event. pic.twitter.com/aVY7bJhntx

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 29, 2024

There were reports that rioters tried to storm the embassy. 

Appalling scenes in Mexico!

Rioters set fire to the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City and 200 activists, while throwing stones, tried to storm the building. 6 injured.
pic.twitter.com/1QFtXccv1g

— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) May 29, 2024

There are no reports on who funded “Urgent Action for Rafah.”

However, in the US, non-profits linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US, have been fueling protests at colleges and universities. These organizations have also facilitated protests to disrupt critical infrastructure such as airport terminals, bridges, and highways.

If the momentum continues into summer, then the risks of a ‘BLM 2.0-style’ movement could plunge the US into social turmoil ahead of the elections.