Israel criticized Brazil's president for taking a comparison between the conflict in Gaza and the Holocaust, accusing him of being antisemitic and disregarding the severity of the Nazi genocide of European Jews in World War II.
The public uproar exacerbated tensions between the nations, which have worsened since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva resumed his position last year. Lula has presented himself as a prominent figure in the "Global South," a loosely defined collection of developing nations, as per to ABC News.
Former Brazilian President Lula Sparks Gaza Conflict
In a press briefing held a day after his meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made contentious remarks concerning the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Lula's statements drew attention as he compared the situation to historical events, asserting that what is happening in Gaza is unprecedented.
Lula, addressing reporters, stated, "What's happening in the Gaza Strip and with the Palestinian people doesn't exist at any other historical moment. In fact, it existed when Hitler decided to kill the Jews." He went on to characterize the conflict as not merely a war but as a "genocide," emphasizing the disparity between a well-equipped army and vulnerable civilians, particularly women and children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly responded, deeming Lula's remarks as crossing a "red line" and condemning them as a trivialization of the Holocaust. Netanyahu emphasized that such comparisons undermine Israel's right to self-defense and perpetuate harm against the Jewish people.
The Israeli President conveyed his dissatisfaction, specifying the difficulties encountered by Israeli soldiers in fighting a recognized terrorist group with the goal of destroying the Jewish state. Herzog criticized the allegations against Israel, especially the connection to Hitler's actions, calling them appalling, according to Haaretz.
Israeli Ministers Condemn Lula's Accusations
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant strongly refuted Lula's accusations, branding them as outrageous and abhorrent. Gallant underscored the long-standing support Brazil has had for Israel and criticized Lula for aligning with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
In response to Lula's statements, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the Brazilian ambassador for a reprimand. Katz emphasized the severity and shamefulness of Lula's claims while staunchly defending Israel's right to defend itself against external threats.
Lula's comments follow his earlier criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He questioned the proportionality and acceptability of Israel's response, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for peace.
The Brazilian Israelite Confederation issued a statement condemning Lula's remarks as a "perverse distortion of reality," accusing his government of an "extreme and unbalanced" stance on the conflict. The Confederation deemed Lula's statements offensive to the memory of Holocaust victims and their descendants.
Lula also expressed concern about the suspension of humanitarian aid to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and called for an investigation into alleged errors without discontinuing essential funding for those affected by the conflict. The UNRWA, already facing financial strain, came under scrutiny after Israel implicated 12 of its staff members in the October 7 attack by Hamas, Business Day reported.
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