BrasÃlia, Brazil (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — The diplomatic rift between Brazil and Israel continues to escalate as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has summoned the Brazilian ambassador to Israel on Monday, March 25, 2024, following Israel’s declaration of him as persona non grata.
In a swift response to Israel’s move, Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, called upon the Brazilian ambassador in Tel Aviv, Frederico Meyer, to return home for consultations. Ambassador Meyer is set to depart for Brazil on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as confirmed by a statement from Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The tensions ignited on Monday when Israel announced its refusal to accept President Lula’s presence in the country until he retracts his remarks comparing Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust. Israeli Foreign Minister Katz emphasized the gravity of Lula’s statement, branding it as a severe instance of antisemitic attack. The rebuke was delivered at a poignant location – the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem.
“It is a statement of serious antisemitic attack. On behalf of myself and on behalf of the people of Israel, convey this to President Lula, who is persona non grata in Israel until he resigns,” declared Katz.
This diplomatic clash stems from President Lula’s remarks made on Sunday, where he drew parallels between the Gaza conflict and Hitler’s atrocities against the Jewish population during the 1930s and 1940s. Lula condemned the situation in Gaza as genocide during a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was attending the African Union summit.
In response, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its intention to summon the Israeli ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Zonshine, for discussions in Rio de Janeiro.
President Lula’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been nuanced, condemning Hamas’s actions as “terrorist” while also criticizing Israel’s military strikes in Gaza, which have resulted in nearly 29,000 casualties according to Palestinian authorities.
The escalating diplomatic standoff between Brazil and Israel underscores the complexities surrounding international relations and the sensitivity of addressing conflicts with historical resonance.
For updates on this developing story, stay tuned to reliable news sources.
