Brazilian President Lula's controversial comments comparing the Israel-Hamas war to the Holocaust have sparked global reactions. While Latin American leaders support Lula, the US expresses disappointment, and Israel faces challenges in its global image. Despite tensions, the US-Brazil partnership remains strong, focusing on climate cooperation.
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
Sec Blinken is not too concerned about Brazilian President Lula's comparison of Israel-Hamas War to the Holocaust, cos hey, "friends disagree." https://t.co/HJOFHPiIEz
Sec Blinken is not too concerned about Brazilian President Lula's comparison of Israel-Hamas War to the Holocaust, because "friends disagree." https://t.co/bBL9TAIExd
It really shouldn't be that hard to condemn the Brazil President's ugly Holocaust distortion and antisemitism! https://t.co/gIefMOsbrN
In light of Lula's particularly close relations with Israel over the years, it's difficult to understand his comments. One theory is that Lula was influenced by criticism of Israel in his Workers' Party, criticism that often flirts with antisemitism https://t.co/EJnCs7zK3N
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
The Israeli prime minister, on the other hand, may well benefit from having the Brazilian as a foil — which, from a Brazilian perspective, is precisely why Lula should have been more careful on that stage in Addis Ababa, writes @apagliar https://t.co/9r3maR0r0I
Does this mean the US is OK with Lula’s comments on Gaza and Holocaust? Of course not. But US-Brazil ties are broad and deep. Speaking frankly, the biggest moment of disappointment with Lula in Washington was with his comments over Ukraine in early 2023 (more) https://t.co/jZHUfJH2Gh
Latin American leaders come out in support of Lula's "genocide" comment against Israel, but not every leader in the region supports the horrific Nazi comparison by Brazil's president @FabioSchapiro breaks it down: https://t.co/0Pe4lBvzek