Israel strongly denounced Brazil’s president for drawing parallels between the conflict in Gaza and the Holocaust, accusing him of antisemitism and belittling the tragic events of World War II. The condemnation exacerbated tensions between the two nations, which have soured since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s return to office.
Speaking at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, President Lula remarked that the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza resembled the atrocities committed by Hitler during the Holocaust, a statement that stirred controversy in Israel. The comparison struck a sensitive chord in the country, which was founded as a refuge for Jews in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Israel vehemently rejects any comparison of its actions in Gaza to the genocide perpetrated during the Holocaust.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Lula’s remarks, asserting that they trivialized the Holocaust and constituted a severe transgression. In response, Israel summoned Brazil’s ambassador for a meeting with Foreign Minister Israel Katz at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center in Jerusalem. Katz declared President Lula “persona non grata” in Israel until he retracts his statements and offers an apology.
In a reciprocal move, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to Brazil for a meeting and recalled its own ambassador from Tel Aviv for consultations. The Brazilian ambassador is set to depart Tel Aviv on Tuesday, as announced by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.
Israel’s Foreign Minister reiterated that Brazil’s president would not be welcome in Israel until he apologizes for his remarks, characterizing them as a “very serious antisemitic attack.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu accused President Lula of being a “virulent anti-Semite,” emphasizing the severity of the situation. Foreign Minister Katz took to social media to express his condemnation of Lula’s comments, branding them as “shameful and serious.”
President Lula’s remarks followed condemnations of Israel’s offensive in Gaza by leaders at the AU summit, who called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, resulting in numerous casualties and hostage situations.
The ongoing war has resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread devastation, with tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced and facing dire humanitarian conditions. The heavy toll on civilian lives has sparked international criticism of Israel and intensified calls for a ceasefire.
President Lula has previously accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and supported efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions. His recent comparison of Israel’s actions to the Holocaust represents a significant escalation in rhetoric. In January, President Lula condemned Hamas’ attack on October 7 but called for an end to indiscriminate civilian casualties and urged for a ceasefire to be established.
