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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (in September 2023)

Photo: Evaristo Sa / AFP

The tone is becoming clearer in the diplomatic dispute between the governments of Brazil and Israel. In the dispute over a statement by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brasília summoned the Israeli ambassador to Brazil. Brazil has also recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv for “consultations,” the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Israel had previously summoned the Brazilian ambassador and declared Lula "persona non grata."

"In view of the seriousness of the Israeli government's statements this morning," Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has summoned Israeli Ambassador Daniel Zonshine, the Foreign Ministry said. In addition, the Brazilian ambassador in Tel Aviv, Frederico Meyer, was recalled for “consultations.” He will leave for Brazil on Tuesday.

Lula accused Israel of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip at an African Union summit in Addis Ababa on Sunday. Then the 78-year-old Lula added: “What is happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza has never happened before in history. Yes, that already happened: When Hitler decided to kill the Jews.

Netanyahu speaks of crossing the “red line”

Israel then summoned the Brazilian ambassador to a meeting with Foreign Minister Israel Katz at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and declared Lula persona non grata. Lula is "persona non grata" in Israel "until he takes back his statements and apologizes," explained Foreign Minister Katz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lula had "crossed a red line."

On October 7th, fighters from Hamas, which the EU and the USA classify as a terrorist organization, entered Israel and committed atrocities there, mainly against civilians. According to Israeli information, around 1,160 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.

In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has stated that its goal is to destroy Hamas. According to Hamas figures that cannot be independently verified, more than 29,000 people were killed in the massive military operation in the Gaza Strip.

jok/AFP