Oaxaca Government Acquires israeli Weapons for State Police

ByMexico Solidarity

This article by Jorge A. Pérez originally appeared in the September 8, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca. The Oaxaca government, headed by Morena party member Salomón Jara Cruz, yesterday delivered Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) ARAD assault rifles, purchased from IWI, a company owned by Israeli arms developer Samy Katsav.

According to Karina Barón Ortiz, head of the Executive Secretariat of the State Public Security System (Sesesp), the weapons involved 75 semi-automatic rifles with a 14.5-inch barrel and 5.56 caliber.

In a group interview following the event held at Primavera Park in this capital, she was questioned about the reason for the acquisition of Israeli weapons; however, the official distanced herself from the situation and stated that the purchase is the responsibility of the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), the only entity authorized to make the purchase. [SEDENA has previously deployed the israeli spyware known as Pegasus against Mexican citizens – editor]

A reporter asked: Secretary, what was the reason you bought Israeli weapons knowing that a holocaust is taking place in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and that the president (Claudia Sheinbuam) has a very clear position and that the UN has even condemned the Israeli government?

“The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection requested that we, as a secretariat, and the state government replace old weapons, more than 40 years old, that were no longer operational. This is to ensure that neither citizens nor police officers are at risk when they are operational, in an emergency, or for any need, so they have modern and up-to-date tools. This is a replacement for obsolete weapons.”

The journalist insisted: but necessarily from Israel?

“There is a control of the weapons that are purchased and a tender is held with the suppliers and the bidding is notified to us.”

What do you think about what is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people?

“We are a humanist government; in my personal case, we are always in favor of building peace.”

Do you condemn this massacre that is being committed?

“We will always be in favor of peacebuilding,” she insisted.

Merchant of death Samy Katsav has been linked to numerous high profile corruption investigations related to his arms dealing.

According to IWI’s website, the company is based in central Israel and is dedicated to the design, development, production, and marketing of weapons used in various countries and by the Israel Defense Forces, which are participating in the “ground maneuvers” for the capture of Gaza City.

More and more countries are joining the sanctions and embargoes against the Israeli government due to the genocide it has committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The number of nations, as well as organizations, artists, and members of various sectors of society joining the demand for an end to the genocide increases with time and the rising death toll, which to date totals 60,000, a third of whom are under the age of 18.

Yesterday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced nine measures taken by his administration, including an arms embargo on Israel, which legally prohibits the purchase and sale of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to the Israeli government.

Likewise, it was announced in a letter published in the British newspaper The Guardian that some 1,500 film industry professionals worldwide have decided to stop working with Israeli institutions accused of being “involved in the genocide” in Gaza. The signatories include Mexican actor Gael García, Spanish actor Javier Bardem, and American actor Mark Ruffalo.

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