Lula compares the war in Gaza to Hitler's actions
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) classified Israel's response in the Gaza Strip to the Hamassponsored terrorist attacks as “genocide” and “massacre.” He compared the Israeli action to the extermination of millions of Jews by the Nazis led by Adolf Hitler last century.
Lula made these statements during an interview in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he attended the final days of the 37th African Union Summit and bilateral meetings with heads of state from the continent.
“What is happening in Gaza and with the Palestinian people does not exist at any other historical moment. In fact, it existed: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews,” Lula said.
In recent days, Israel accused UNRWA officials of involvement in terrorist actions by Hamas, leading to the suspension of aid by Western governments.
Lula said that in the event of a “mistake” at UNRWA, those responsible should be investigated, but he said humanitarian aid should not be suspended. Recently, the Brazilian government announced that it would support the agency.
“I wonder how great the political consciousness of these people is. And how great is the supportive heart of these people who do not realize that there is not a war but a genocide taking place in the Gaza Strip. It is not a “war between soldiers and soldiers. It is a war between a wellprepared army and women and children,” Lula said.
The PT member once again defended the creation of a “complete and sovereign” state of Palestine. And the reform of the UN Security Council with the end of the veto right of the countries with permanent seats. For Lula, the university was unable to mediate conflicts and promote peace between countries at war.
In the interview, Lula reiterated that Brazil condemns the terrorist group Hamas but is “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people. “Brazil condemns Hamas, but Brazil cannot help but condemn what Israel is doing in Gaza,” he concluded.
1 of 2 President Lula during a press statement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Photo: Reproduction/Canal Gov President Lula during a press statement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Photo: Reproduction/Canal Gov
The conflict between the terrorist group Hamas and Israel was one of the main topics that Lula addressed in the meetings he attended during his trip to Egypt and Ethiopia, the PT member's second visit to the African continent in this third term.
In Egypt, Lula joined President Abdul Fatah Khalil AlSisi in calling for peace in the Middle East, saying Israel appeared to have the prerogative “not to follow, or rather not to follow, any decision made by the leadership of the United Nations.” .
In Ethiopia, Lula met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Saturday (17).
2 of 2 Lula meets with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Shtayyeh, in the capital of Ethiopia Photo: Ricardo Stuckert Lula meets with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Shtayyeh, in the capital of Ethiopia Photo: Ricardo Stuckert
According to Palácio do Planalto, in the meeting with the Palestinian, the PT member condemned Hamas' attacks and reiterated the need for peace in the Middle East and the creation of a Palestinian state. According to the Brazilian government, Shtayyeh thanked Lula for his solidarity with the Palestinian people.
In a speech at the 37th African Union Summit, Lula addressed the issue again. He once again condemned attacks on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas, but described the Israeli response to the attacks, which left thousands of civilians dead, as “disproportionate.”
For Lula, the crisis in the Middle East will only be solved with the creation of a “sovereign” Palestinian state and a “full member” of the United Nations (UN).
At the press conference, Lula was also asked about the death of Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's main opponent.
Navalny died in an Arctic prison last Friday (16) at the age of 47. He reportedly became ill after a walk. Joe Biden, President of the United States, and the European Union claim that the Putin government is responsible for the death.
When asked about the death and suspicions surrounding Navalny's death, Lula avoided comment, saying that an investigation into the case would have to be awaited.
“Let us believe that the coroners will say, 'The guy died of this or that.' So that you can make the judgement. Because otherwise you are now judging that it was the case. I don't know who ordered the murder and it was.” t. And then: will you apologize? Why this rush to accuse someone? Do you know how many years I've been waiting for the person who ordered Marielle's crime? Six. And I'm in no hurry to say that who killed it, I want to find it. When I find it, I say, 'It was so and so.' I don't want any speculation,” Lula said.