Brazil Refused to Approve the Senior Official's Appointment, and Israel Declared the President 'Persona Non Grata'
The Brazilian government refused to approve the appointment of Israel's ambassador to the country, amid ongoing controversy between the nations.
Earlier today (Monday), the Brazilian government announced that it refused to approve the appointment of Israel's new ambassador Gali Dagan, amid preliminary disputes and difficult relations that have emerged between Israel and Brazil, especially since the October 7th massacre.
The Foreign Ministry responded to the decision and wrote that "the critical and hostile line that Brazil has demonstrated toward Israel since October 7th has intensified from the moment its president compared Israel's actions to those of the Nazis."
It was further stated that in response to Brazil's decision: "Israel has declared Brazilian President Lula as persona non grata. After Brazil refrained, unusually, from responding to Ambassador Dagan's request for agreement, Israel withdrew the request and now relations between the countries are conducted at a lower diplomatic level."
At the end of the announcement it was written that "the Foreign Ministry continues to maintain deep contact with the many circles of friends that Israel has in Brazil."
André Lajst, CEO of StandWithUs Brazil, responded: "The Brazilian government's decision not to approve the appointment of the Israeli ambassador is another step that deepens the country's international isolation and harms relations with one of its most important allies in the Middle East."
He added: "Instead of promoting dialogue and cooperation in diplomatic, economic and cultural fields - the government chooses unilateral steps that weaken Brazil's position in the international arena. We call on the government to return to a path of responsibility and cooperation with Israel and with the international community."
Although Lula has personally expressed criticism of Israel in the past, it was only after the Hamas-led terror attack on October 7, 2023, widely regarded as one of the worst in Israel’s history, that his administration began taking concrete steps. Since then, the president has consistently portrayed Israel as an aggressor and Hamas as a force retaliating against decades of oppression.