"Lula was wrong to call the war in Gaza a genocide, but Israelis should listen hard," writes Marc Champion, reflecting on the recent diplomatic spat between Brazil and Israel. This incident is not just a hiccup but a reflection of Israel’s growing difficulties in making its case across the global south. The controversy over Lula's remarks has eclipsed the significance of a foreign ministers' meeting, with sentiments that "It’s a pity" expressed by analysts. Despite this, Lula's foreign policy is expected to become "more and more aggressive," overshadowing traditional Itamaraty practices. However, it's acknowledged that "good friends can disagree," indicating the resilience of the partnership between nations, including on climate issues. Amidst these tensions, Brazil is using its G20 presidency to push for global governance reform, climate action, and fighting inequality, while also seeking permanent membership on the UN Security Council. Israel’s Foreign Minister responded to Lula's criticisms with an AI-generated image of unity between Brazilian and Israeli people, emphasizing, "Lula, even you can’t separate us." Lula, defending his position, stated, "Stop judging me based on what the prime minister of Israel says," highlighting the complexity of international relations.
Brazil's president Lula da Silva again says that Israel is 'committing genocide'
“Stop judging me based on what the prime minister of Israel says” — @LulaOficial https://t.co/BM0EHCT9gl
After Lula's recent statements about the Holocaust, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted an AI generated image picture of unity between Brazilian and Israeli people. He added the comment: “Lula, even you can’t separate us" 🇧🇷🇮🇱 https://t.co/aM0yU5mH9A
Lula’s harsh criticism of Israel was poorly received in Washington, but both sides understand that “good friends can disagree,” my @TheWilsonCenter colleague, @BrazilInst Director @hourly_radio, said. The “strong partnership,” including on climate, will survive this controversy. https://t.co/lGYpoiNbtZ
Despite the controversy over Lula’s remarks on the war in Gaza, his foreign policy is likely to become “more and more aggressive,” @CNN analyst @lsantanna told us this morning, as Lula’s style and ideological preferences overshadow Itamaraty traditions. https://t.co/lGYpoiNbtZ
Brazil is using its @g20org presidency to promote its candidacy for @UN Security Council permanent membership, @CNN analyst @lsantanna told us. “This is dominating Brazil’s foreign policy,” but given divisions over candidates, including 🇮🇳, 🇯🇵, and 🇩🇪, “this is going nowhere.” https://t.co/lGYpoiNbtZ
Brazil’s @g20org organizers are eager for the organization to focus this year on global governance reform, climate change, and the fight against inequality and poverty, rather than the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, @CNN analyst @lsantanna told us this morning. https://t.co/lGYpoiNbtZ
US-Brazil tension over Lula’s controversial criticisms of Israel “eclipsed the significance of the foreign ministers’ meeting,” my colleague, @BrazilInst Director @hourly_radio, said in remarks from Rio. “It’s a pity, to be honest.” https://t.co/lGYpoiNbtZ
The Brazil-Israel spat is not merely a hiccup but a reflection of Israel’s growing difficulties in making its case across the global south https://t.co/oKJnZfZbiX via @ft
Lula was wrong to call the war in Gaza a genocide but Israelis should listen hard and reconsider the path their government has put them on, writes @MarcChampion1 https://t.co/0Z49lHKZCv