Brazil President Lula da Silva Removes Ambassador to Israel Amid Diplomatic Spats

Brazil withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Wednesday, escalating tensions between the two nations over Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

This decision, announced in Brazil's official gazette, marks the latest fallout from South America regarding Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory.

Israel's foreign ministry confirmed it had not received an official notification from the Brazilian government, AP News reports. However, following media reports, Israel summoned the Brazilian chargé d'affaires to the ministry for a meeting on Thursday.

Lula's Criticism and Diplomatic Repercussions

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza.

Earlier this year, Lula compared Israel's offensive to the Holocaust, a statement that led to a public reprimand by Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

Katz summoned the Brazil ambassador, Frederico Meyer, to Jerusalem's National Holocaust Museum to address Lula's comments.

Initially, Lula recalled Meyer to Brazil, but Wednesday's move further escalated the situation, according to Reuters.

The Brazilian Embassy in Israel remains open but now operates without an ambassador.

According to an official at Brazil's foreign ministry who spoke anonymously, this decision was in response to Meyer's treatment by Israel's top diplomat.

Frederico Meyer has been reassigned to Geneva, where he will join Brazil's permanent mission to the United Nations and other international organizations.

Brazil's foreign ministry stated that the appointment of a new ambassador to Israel would be announced in due course.

The embassy in Tel Aviv will be led by the chargé d'affaires.

A pro-Israel group in Brazil, the Israeli Confederation of Brazil, expressed regret over the move, stating it moved away from Brazil's diplomatic tradition of balance and dialogue. They believe it hinders Brazil's ability to act as a mediator in the Middle East.

Background on Gaza War

The Gaza war, now in its eighth month, started on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 civilians and taking 250 hostages.

Israel's retaliation has resulted in at least 36,096 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Israel claims to have killed 15,000 militants, Aljazeera noted.

Internationally, Brazil's President Lula da Silva faced backlash for comparing the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust.

This led to diplomatic tensions, including Brazil's ambassador to Israel being summoned and Lula being declared persona non grata in Israel.

Despite this, Brazil continues diplomatic relations, with Lula da Silva criticizing Israel's actions.

Brazil's foreign ministry supported recent recognitions of a Palestinian state by Ireland, Norway, and Spain.

This coordinated move increased pressure on Israel, which condemned it. Colombia, Bolivia, and Belize have also cut ties with Israel, criticizing its actions.

The conflict has caused global concern, especially as Rafah, Gaza's last city facing an offensive, struggles with severe humanitarian restrictions.

The UN reports that 1.4 million people were in Rafah before the offensive, with one million fleeing since.

The conflict has intensified calls for a Palestinian state, with Brazil advocating for a two-state solution.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Brazil's President Lula compares Israel's war on Gaza to the Holocaust - From Al Jazeera English