‘Lower Diplomatic Level’: Israel Downgrades Ties With Brazil After Israeli Ambassador Nominee Stonewalled

Latest Developments

Brazil Slights New Israeli Ambassador: Israel downgraded its diplomatic ties with Brazil after the credentials of Israel’s newly appointed ambassador were refused on August 26. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Brazil “unusually, refrained from replying to Ambassador [-designate Gali] Dagan’s request for agrément,” causing the ministry to withdraw the request. The ministry added that relations between the two countries will now be conducted at a “lower diplomatic level.” Tensions between the two countries have deteriorated significantly since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, atrocities in Israel, with the leftist government of Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio “Lula” da Silva consistently and stridently attacking the Jewish state.
Brazilian President’s ‘Hostile Line’ Against Israel: The ministry noted in its release the “critical and hostile line that Brazil has displayed toward Israel” since Hamas’s attack, which included Lula accusing Jerusalem of committing “genocide” and drawing parallels with “when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” Brazil recalled its ambassador to Israel in May 2024 and has not appointed a replacement. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who as foreign minister in 2024 declared Lula “persona non grata” in Israel, stated on X that the Brazilian president has now “revealed his true face as a declared antisemite and supporter of Hamas.”
Antisemitism Skyrockets in Brazil: Since October 7, Brazil’s Jewish community, the second largest in Latin America, has witnessed a 1,000 percent increase in antisemitic attacks. In July, Brazil’s federal government formally withdrew from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) — an intergovernmental body dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism — while joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

FDD Expert Response

“Israel-bashing and Jew-baiting are core tenets of Lula’s leftist agenda, but we should be clear that Brazil’s continued anti-American tilt constitutes a broader strategic challenge in the Western Hemisphere for the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio should add this to the list of bilateral issues of concern and intensify a continent-wide strategy to alter Brazil’s long-term trajectory.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“By withdrawing Brazil from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which produced the gold standard definition of antisemitism — explaining how hatred of Israel and hatred of Jews are intimately linked — Lula has declared that attacking Israel is more important than defending Jews. The Brazilian leader would be wise to reflect on how his anti-Israel stance has led his country to a dark place. But pulling out of IHRA makes sense for Lula given that he has criticized Israel in ways that cross over into antisemitism.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst