Netanyahu Condemns Brazilian President’s Gaza-Holocaust Comparison

Israel has criticized Brazil’s president for making a comparison between the conflict in Gaza and the Holocaust, denouncing his remarks as antisemitic and diminishing the significance of the Nazi genocide against European Jews during World War II. This criticism comes amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two nations since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva assumed office, positioning himself as a figurehead for the “Global South,” a term referring to developing nations.

While attending the African Union summit in Ethiopia, Lula remarked that the situation faced by Palestinians in Gaza and the broader Palestinian community is unprecedented, drawing a controversial parallel to the atrocities committed by Hitler against Jews.

Israel, founded as a refuge for Jews post-Holocaust, strongly opposes any comparisons between its military actions in Gaza and the Holocaust. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Lula of belittling the Holocaust and labeled his comments as crossing a significant boundary, further characterizing Lula as an “intense anti-Semite.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced he had summoned Brazil’s ambassador for a formal reproach, labeling Lula’s statements as “disgraceful and serious.”

Lula’s comments were made in the context of the African Union summit’s collective denunciation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, urging for its cessation.

The ongoing conflict was ignited by an assault on October 7, during which Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and took about 250 people hostage in southern Israel. It is believed that around 130 hostages remain in captivity, with a quarter presumed dead. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement within Gaza, prompting global calls for a ceasefire.

Lula has previously accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and supported South Africa’s allegations against Israel at the International Court of Justice. His recent comparison of Israel’s actions to the Holocaust marks his most direct condemnation to date. In an earlier meeting with the Palestinian ambassador, Lula condemned the initial attack by Hamas but argued there was no justification for the indiscriminate killing of civilians, advocating for an immediate ceasefire.