Frederico Meyer said he did not understand “what interest Hamas has in handing over hostages” and referred to “stronger measures” by Israel
Bundestag member Carla Zambelli (PLSP) said this Friday (December 1, 2023) that the position of the Brazilian ambassador to Israel, Frederico Meyer, was “unacceptable from a diplomat.” The congresswoman stated in her Profile on X (formerly Twitter), which called for Meyer’s resignation and also asked that Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira be called for clarification.
On November 24, the Brazilian ambassador to Israel commented on the hostages of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas. “These hostages that are there are the bargaining chip, so I cannot understand what interest Hamas has in extraditing these kidnapped people. Because what happens after all the kidnapped people are handed over?” he said in an interview with Uol.
For the ambassador, the release of Hamas will “give Israel the freedom to take even stronger measures” in the Gaza Strip, since, in his opinion, the country is “held back” by fear of reaching the hostages. “If there are no more hostages, I ask myself: Would Israel then be free to attack as much as it wants? I don’t know,” he said.
Sharing the video, the lawmaker explained that diplomats and ambassadors “do not have their own opinions” and cannot give interviews in which they express such viewpoints. “He represents Brazil, he represents the president of the republic within Israel, so he cannot express a personal opinion,” he said.
She further stated that she would understand “if it were a reasonable personal opinion.” According to Zambelli, Meyer’s speech “impresses” a situation as if the ambassador did not want Hamas to return the hostages. And he added: “As if he was saying, ‘Look, Hamas, don’t give back the kidnapped people.’ It’s your last bargaining chip.”
For the MP, “a country that is at war needs an appropriate ambassador.” And he said: “Either he doesn’t have the slightest idea what it means to be ambassador, or he is a psychopath who confirms Hamas’s thoughts.”
Below is Zambelli’s tweet:
Such a position is unacceptable for a diplomat, an ambassador to a country that is at war against terrorism. In addition to my request for his dismissal, I make a request to summon the Minister of Itamaraty to provide clarifications and a statement of refusal to… pic.twitter.com/QUFoXuq2Nu
Carla Zambelli (@Zambelli2210) December 1, 2023
THE OTHER SIDE
O Power360 contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by email this Friday (December 1, 2023) to obtain the official statement on Zambelli’s statements about the Brazilian ambassador to Israel. No response was received by the time this text was completed and published. When and if you wish to express your position, this post will be amended to include Itamaraty’s statement on the congresswoman’s speeches.