Israel downgrades diplomatic relations with Brazil after dispute

Israel has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Brazil after the Brazilian government refused to approve the appointment of Israel's new ambassador, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said on Tuesday.

"The critical and hostile course Brazil has taken towards Israel since October 7 (2023) escalated when its president compared Israel's actions to those of the Nazis," the statement said.

Brazil's Lula compares Israel's Gaza operation to the Holocaust

The dispute between the two countries over the Gaza war has escalated since last year.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva compared Israel's military operation in Gaza to the Holocaust.

In response, Israel's then Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared him a persona non grata and summoned Ambassador Frederico Meyer to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

This was perceived by the Brazilian government as a public humiliation, prompting it to recall Meyer.

The country refused to approve Gali Dagan as Israel's new ambassador to Brasília.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that despite the incidents, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem continues to maintain "close contacts with Israel's many friends in Brazil."