Lula's sharp comments about the genocide in Gaza, Brazil is not afraid of Israel's bluff
Brazil will not withdraw President Lula's statement which said that Israel's genocide in Gaza was similar to Hitler's actions against the Jews.
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The photo released by the Brazilian Presidential Palace shows Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attending the 37th African Union Summit opening in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday (February 17, 2024).
BRASILIA, WEDNESDAY - Diplomatic relations between Brazil and Israel have become strained after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva openly declared that Israel's military operation in Gaza was not a war, but rather an act of genocide or ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Lula to retract his statement, but Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira stood firm on Tuesday (20/2/2024) and countered Israel's response.
"For a foreign ministry, responding to a statement from a friendly country's head of state in such a manner is unusual and repulsive," said Vieira to reporters at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "This is a shameful chapter in Israel's diplomatic history," Viera continued.
He said that Israel is trying to cover up what is actually happening. Viera referred to Israel's response to President Lula as unacceptable and dishonest.
Diplomatic tensions between Brazil and Israel reached its third day on Tuesday (20/2/2024). In addition to referring to Israel's attack in Gaza as a genocide practice, Lula, in a statement delivered while attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday (17/2/2024), also equated Israel's actions to Hitler's treatment of Jewish citizens during World War II.
"What is happening in Gaza, and what is happening to the Palestinian people, is unparalleled in various other moments in history," said Lula at the time. "Even (similar events have occurred) when Hitler decided to kill Jews," said Lula.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 17, 2024.
This statement angered the Israeli government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lula's statement went too far and had crossed a red line. This action was followed up by Tel Aviv, Monday (19/2/2024), by recalling its ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Zonshine. Israel also determined Lula's status as persona non-grata for an indefinite period of time.
"He (Lula) becomes persona non-grata in the state of Israel as long as he does not retract his statement and apologize," said Israel Katz, Israeli Foreign Minister. Regarding this case, Katz summoned the Brazilian Ambassador to Israel Frederico Meyer to protest.
Brazil replied
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil responded by stating that they had no intention of retracting President Lula's comments. Brasilia has also recalled Meyer, its ambassador to Israel. As Israel did to Meyer, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry also summoned Israel's ambassador, Daniel Zonshine, to protest.
Also read: Exposing Israel's injustice against Palestine at the International Court of Justice
Lula's statement is the toughest statement ever made by a head of state regarding the situation in Gaza. The Israeli military operation, fully supported by the United States, has resulted in the deaths of over 29,000 Gaza citizens, mostly women and children, and millions of citizens displaced.
Now, after having ravaged northern Gaza, the Israeli military plans to take similar action in Rafah, southern Gaza. Rafah is the only remaining territory in Gaza for Palestinian residents to seek refuge and shelter.
Palestinian residents pray for their relatives who died in the Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip in front of the mortuary room of the Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday (21/11/2023).
"In Gaza, genocide is occurring and thousands of children, women, and elderly citizens are being killed in a cowardly manner. Lula only speaks the truth and the truth must be upheld, or barbarism will destroy us," said Petro.
Arce supports Lula's statement. Like Petro, he considers Lula to be conveying the fact that is currently happening in Gaza, which is the genocide against the Palestinian people. "History will not forgive those who are indifferent to this cruelty," said Arce.
Also read: At the ICJ Session, Palestine Accuses Israel of Colonization and Apartheid
Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia are three Global South countries supporting South Africa which are currently suing Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of carrying out genocide against the Palestinian people in the military operation in Gaza since the beginning. October 2023. South Africa accuses Israel's attack on Gaza of violating the Genocide Convention.
The photo released by the Brazilian Presidential Palace shows Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) being warmly welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the two meet ahead of the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday (2/17/2024).
Lula's strong statement against Israel has garnered criticism at home. Nonetheless, his political allies stand by him. This also applies to First Lady Rosangela da Silva, a veteran member of the Workers' Party led by her husband. The woman affectionately known as Janja stated that Lula's statement is a statement to defend children and women who have suffered the most casualties from Israel's armed attacks in Gaza.
He also mentioned that Lula's statement was not intended to generalize Jewish people, but was limited to the government and military of Israel. "His statement refers to the government (of Israel) that commits genocide, not to Jewish individuals," wrote Janja on social media platform X.
Prince William's exclamation
The increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has finally prompted the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom, Prince William, to speak out. William, who will replace his father, King Charles III, as the king of England on Tuesday (20/2/2024), called for an end to the war in Gaza.
"The scale of human suffering has highlighted the need for peace in that pocket area. Too many people have been killed," said William during his visit to the British Red Cross office in London.
"I, like many others, wish for the battle to be ended as soon as possible. There is an urgent need to increase humanitarian support to Gaza. It is very important for aid to enter and the hostages to be released," he said.
Generally, members of the royal family or nobility in England avoid making statements or expressing their views on political situations. However, before Charles is crowned as king, he has expressed his intention to speak openly about things that are close to his life.
Also read: Humanity is on Vacation from Around Gaza
For the time being, as King Charles is undergoing treatment for the cancer he is suffering from, William is expected to take over his Father's duties in running the daily affairs of the royal family, including visiting synagogues and discussing with young people about hatred and anti-Semitism.
In 2018, William became the first senior English noble to make an official visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. According to Kensington Palace, where he is based, since the visit, William has been paying close attention to developments in the area and monitoring it closely.
"Sometimes it is only when faced with the magnitude of human suffering that we realize the importance of permanent peace," said William.
Prince William touched the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday (28/6).
William's latest statement, according to his office, has been notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom.
In response to William's statement, Israeli Government Spokesperson Eylon Levy said that they also share the same desire, with the caveat that Hamas is eliminated. "Israel certainly wants to end the fighting as soon as possible and that will be possible after the release of 134 hostages and when Hamas is eliminated," he said.
Also read: The European Union and the Future of Gaza
US veto in UNSC
The statement made by some European leaders, that the humanitarian situation in Gaza should be the main focus at the moment, does not change the United States' stance. For the fourth time, the US vetoed a resolution from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the vote on Tuesday. Thirteen member countries agreed with the proposed Algerian draft resolution, while the United Kingdom chose to abstain. The veto has sparked much criticism towards Washington, not only from China and Russia, but also from US allies such as France, Malta, and Slovenia.
"We chose the resolution because the killing of civilians in Gaza must be stopped. The suffering experienced by the Palestinian people exceeds what should be experienced by human beings," said Slovenia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Samuel Zbogar.
Also read: The Double Face of the US in the Gaza War
Algeria's Permanent Representative, Amar Bendjama (front, right), raised his hand in a gesture of support for the adoption of the draft resolution on ending violence and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza at the UN headquarters in New York, USA on Tuesday (20/2/2024). The draft resolution failed to be adopted after being vetoed by the US.
"The number of casualties and the humanitarian situation cannot be tolerated, and Israel's operations must be stopped," said the Permanent Deputy of France to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere.
Algeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Amar Bendjama, has asked the United States (US) to evaluate itself. "Examine your conscience, how history will judge you," said Bendjama.
US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that vetoing was an option because she considered it an irresponsible action. "We cannot support a resolution that would endanger sensitive negotiations," she said. (AP/AFP/REUTERS/SAM)
