Brazil’s radical leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva renewed his condemnation of Israel on Wednesday, accusing it of committing “genocide” in Gaza over its self-defense actions against the jihadist terrorist group Hamas. did.
Lula, whose previous accusations and anti-Semitic comments against Israel have single-handedly soured the two countries’ historic friendship in recent weeks, spoke during an event in Brasilia to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the verdict. , again accused Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. The Workers’ Party (PT) was founded by Lula.
Just before singing “Happy Birthday” at a party for the PT with Brazilian first lady Rosangela Lula da Silva and PT President Gleij Hoffmann, the Brazilian president announced that Hamas had not been able to do anything since the October 7 terrorist attack. He called for the release of the hostages still being held. But he called on Israel to stop what he described as “genocide” in Gaza.
“Those who advocate world peace do not have the courage to protect the women and children of the Gaza Strip who are being murdered every day, because it is not a war, it is a genocide,” Lula said. Said. “We have to have the courage to say these things. If we don’t, we’re not worth our time on earth, we’re not even worth doing politics.”
Lula is repetition Israel accused Hamas of “killing women and children” in self-defense.
“Just as we in the PT condemn Hamas’s acts of terrorism, just as we advocate that Hamas must release Israeli hostages, and that Israel must release Palestinian hostages, we “We have to say no more. They are killing women and children who have nothing to do with this war,” Lula said this week.
“Where is the United Nations, which should exist to prevent this from happening?” he continued.
Lula has criticized Israel multiple times since February for acting in self-defense against Hamas following the unprecedented Oct. 7 terrorist attack by the jihadist terror group. Lula has strongly urged the United Nations to recognize Palestine as a state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Similar statements by Lula in the past have caused serious diplomatic confusion.At a press conference in February after attending the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Lula said: compared Israel’s acts of self-defense against the actions of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust.
“What is happening with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is unparalleled at any other historical moment. In fact, it existed when Hitler decided to kill the Jews,” Lula said. Said at that time.
Lula’s comparisons to Nazi Germany spark diplomatic tensions between Israel and Brazil; praise Hamas called his remarks an “accurate description” of the situation in Gaza.
In response to his comments, Israel decided to: specify lula persona non gratabanned him from visiting Israel until he makes a formal apology. Brazilian government officials have repeatedly insisted that no such apology will be made, claim Rather, it is Israel that “must apologize” to humanity for the “genocide” in Gaza.
Lula banned from entering Israel claimed In a television interview, he said there had been no comparisons between Israel’s self-defense actions during the Holocaust and Nazi Germany as reported.
“First of all, I did not say the word ‘Holocaust.’ ‘Holocaust’ was the interpretation of the Israeli prime minister. It wasn’t mine,” Lula said. “The second thing is that death is death.”
Mr. Lula’s latest criticism of Israel comes after Brazilian conservative governors Tarcisio de Freitas (São Paulo) and Ronaldo Caiado (Goiás state) visited Israel to express support for Israel, and Lula’s remarks This came shortly after the president said that he did not represent the Brazilian people.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who met with the governors, said he was happy to meet Israel’s “two great friends” and said that despite Lula’s actions, Israel has given up on supporting the Brazilian people and Israel. He pointed out that there was no.
“I tell them that I will not give up on the Brazilian people who support the Jewish people and the state of Israel and sympathize with the just fight against the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, and I thank them for the inspiring solidarity they have shown. To the people of Israel,” Katz said in a social media post.
“President Lula’s anti-Semitic statements will not tear our country apart. Our common values are the enemy of our enemy, and together we will prevail,” he continued.
Fiquei feliz em me encontrar hoje com dois grandes amigos do is the grandes amigos do the Estado de Israel, o gooverador de São Paulo @tarcisiogdf Governor Eo Goias @Ronald Kaiadque representatives dezenas de milhões de brasileiros e vieram apoiar israel.
Hear your opinion and get your point across… pic.twitter.com/HJRqFEWQtQ
— Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) March 21, 2024
Brazil’s Planalto Presidential Palace claimed A statement released Wednesday said the conservative governors’ visit to Israel and Lula’s condemnation “distorts” the Brazilian government’s position on events in Gaza.
“At a time when the whole world is concerned about Palestinian civilians, we regret that foreign governors are distorting Brazil’s position on this issue,” the statement said.
The statement also said Lula “repeatedly condemned Hamas attacks and spoke out not against Jews, but against the actions of the current Israeli government. These actions have been criticized by governments around the world, including Europe and the United States.” It has been criticized and is the subject of proceedings by South Africa in The Hague.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
