Israeli Minister criticizes Lula and the Brazilian Judiciary

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, Amichai Chikli, criticized the Brazilian court’s decision to investigate an Israeli soldier who was on vacation in Brazil.

In a letter sent to federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) this Sunday (5), Chikli accused the Lula government and the Brazilian Judiciary of embracing “supporters of terrorism” and “Holocaust deniers”, describing the legal action as the result of an attempted persecution against the Israeli military.

The report contacted Palácio do Planalto to comment on the statements but did not receive a response until the publication of this article.

“In recent days, we became aware of a concerning incident in which a Palestinian organization, known as ‘HRF’, filed a complaint against an Israeli tourist who was visiting Brazil – an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) veteran – on the basis in blood slander against the State of Israel. The organization publicly disclosed the soldier’s personal data, with the aim of persecuting and arresting him”, the text quotes.

In his letter sent to the Brazilian parliamentarian, Chikli states that the HRF “is not a human rights organization, but rather a blatant supporter of terrorism”.

“According to research findings by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, which I lead, the leaders of this organization have repeatedly expressed support for Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist organizations whose sole purpose is the destruction of Israel and the murder of Israelis ”, says the text.

The minister reinforced his criticisms by reporting episodes in which HRF members demonstrated support for terrorists and denied historical crimes. Chikli recalled in the text that one of the founders of the HRF, Diyab Abu Jaleha, publicly praised the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist, Hassan Nasrallah, after his elimination by Israeli forces.

“In September, after the elimination of Hezbollah Secretary General Nasrallah, Jaleha published an effusive praise, stating: ‘We cannot forget his aura, his smile, his genius and his kindness’”, he highlighted in the text.

Chikli also mentioned statements by another HRF member, identified as Karim Hassan, who, according to him, praised the September 11 terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center in the USA and questioned the existence of gas chambers in Nazi death camps.

“Karim Hassan, wrote on October 8: ‘The Palestinians did not ‘invade’ Israel… They are simply returning home and reclaiming their property.’ Furthermore, in the past, he has praised the September 11 attacks, calling them those of ‘sweet revenge’. He is also a Holocaust denier who questioned the existence of gas chambers in extermination camps”, the letter quotes.

“The fact that the Brazilian judiciary, with the support of President Lula, warmly embraces supporters of terrorism and Holocaust deniers – as we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz – is an embarrassment to the Brazilian government. We must raise our voices against such conduct. I am convinced that the vast majority of decent and patriotic Brazilian citizens reject the abominable actions of their government, which will be remembered as a historical footnote unworthy of the glorious history of the Brazilian people”, highlighted the minister, expressing indignation at the action of Brazilian justice.

At the end of the letter, the minister says that he sees “the Brazilian people as allies in the global fight against terrorism” and made a direct appeal to Eduardo, asking for support against what he classified as an injustice not only against an Israeli soldier, but against everyone those who fight terrorism.

“I address you, as a friend of Israel and the Jewish people, with a request to raise a clear and resolute voice against this injustice – an injustice directed not only at one Israeli soldier, but also at all who oppose the reign of terror imposed by radical Islamic groups in all its forms. Supporting those who protect the innocent and fight terrorism is a moral stance that cannot be challenged”, he concluded.