Swine flu threatens Independence Day events in Mexico

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Jewish community in Mexico might be forced to cancel its upcoming Israel Remembrance Day and Independence Day events due to the swine flu plaguing the country. Avida Ben Yoseph, emissary for national religious youth movement Bnei Akiva in Mexico City, said on Sunday that Mexican authorities have not only closed all of the schools in the city for 10 days but also banned all youth movement activities, including those of Bnei Akiva. The ceremonies marking the Israeli national days of mourning and celebration are currently at risk of cancellation or postponement, pending the local authorities' decision. "Despite everything… we will at the very least conduct a festive prayer to mark Israel's 61st Independence Day," Ben Yoseph stressed.