BRASILIA: Brazil has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel after Tal Aviv stated Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was not welcome in the country as the leader compared Israel’s war on Gaza to Hitler’s conduct against Jews.
Brazilian foreign ministry on Monday confirmed the Israeli ambassador was summoned for talks after Israeli officials gave Brazil’s ambassador to the country a formal reprimand following Lula’s remarks.
Earlier, Brazil’s president stated what is happening in the Gaza Strip with the people of Palestine has no comparison in other historical events.
Lula during a weekend African Union summit in Addis Ababa, said that such thing took place when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Lula is not welcome in Israel until he takes back his remarks. He termed the Brazilian president’s remarks as serious antisemitic attack.
Brazil’s foreign ministry said it would summon Israel’s envoy to the country for a meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
According to the Gaza health ministry Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed more than 29,000 people, and forcing nearly all of its more than 2 million residents from their homes.
