Diplomatic dispute escalates: Israel declares Brazil President Lula da Silva unwelcome for comparing Gaza war to Holocaust

NEW DELHI: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's comparison of Israel's military campaign in Gaza to the

Holocaust

has sparked a

diplomatic dispute

, adding tension to the already divided political landscape.
Brazil has recalled its ambassador and Israel has declared Lula 'persona non grata' in response to his remarks. The controversy erupted when Lula stated that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is not a war, but a genocide, and likened it to Hitler's killing of Jews.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Lula for crossing a red line with his comments.

Israel summoned Brazil's ambassador to a meeting with foreign minister Israel Katz at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center in Jerusalem, stating that Lula will remain unwelcome in Israel until he retracts his remarks and apologizes. In retaliation, Brazil summoned the Israeli ambassador for a meeting and recalled its own ambassador from Tel Aviv for consultations, citing the gravity of Israel's statements.

Lula, a veteran leftist and a prominent voice for the Global South, is currently the president of the G20. His remarks come as Brazil prepares to host a G20 foreign ministers' meeting, where the Gaza conflict will be a key topic of discussion. The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 with an attack by Hamas, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians. Hamas militants also took hostages, with some still remaining in Gaza.
Lula initially condemned Hamas's attack as a terrorist act but has since become critical of Israel's response. His comments on the conflict have faced backlash at home, with critics calling them vulgar and warning of fueling anti-Semitism. Lula's conservative opponents, including members of the Evangelical Christian community, have strongly condemned his remarks, while his political allies have rushed to his defense.
The Israelite Confederation of Brazil and the Brazil-Israel Institute have both criticized Lula's statements as a distortion of reality and offensive to the memory of Holocaust victims and their descendants. It is important to note that Lula's comments were directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people, according to First Lady Rosangela 'Janja' da Silva, a member of his Workers' Party.