Sao Paulo
The rise of antiSemitism and Hamas' attacks on Israel were condemned this Sunday (28) by the leaders of the Brazilian Jewish community at an event marking the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust.
The event was organized by the Israeli Confederation of Brazil (Conib), the Israeli Federation of the State of São Paulo (Fisesp) and the Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP).
This year, the ceremony also honored the victims of the Hamas terrorist group's attack on October 7 last year seven candles were lit instead of the usual six.
Present were several diplomatic and political authorities, including Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republican) and São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB), as well as secretaries and deputies. Tarcísio and Nunes classified Hamas as terrorists and the governor declared that he would guarantee the safety of the Jewish community in São Paulo.
Conib President Claudio Lottenberg compared antiSemitism to denial and called PT member José Genoino an antiSemite.
On the 20th, Genoino participated in a YouTube broadcast on the leftwing website Diário do Centro do Mundo. In it, he defended the boycott of Jewish businesses in Brazil when asked about the support given earlier this year by President Lula (PT) to the lawsuit filed by South Africa with the International Court of Justice over Israel's alleged genocide in the war against Hamas.
Lottenberg also stated that “antiSemitism is increasing rapidly,” called for the release of Hamas hostages and criticized diplomacy and the Brazilian government.
“The Holocaust hit us hard and we do not need to be taught moral lessons to distinguish between terrorists and citizens, let alone from democratic gangs sitting in the leather chair in The Hague led by South Africa,” Lottenberg said.
“We hope that the Brazilian government […] take a clear position for democracy and truth. Opportunistic alliances with dictatorships, inaction or coexistence, and collusion with terrorist movements are an affront to the Brazilian tradition of respect for differences. We cannot remain silent in the face of the electoral opportunism and ignorance caused by political radicalization. “What is happening in the Middle East has nothing to do with the left or the right,” he added.
In a press interview after the event, Lottenberg said he had sent invitations to Lula and Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, but they had not responded or sent representatives, which he described as “bad.”
Conib's president said he was “frustrated” with Brazil's position, mentioning in particular Brazilian support for South Africa's complaint in The Hague.
“I understand that perhaps Brazil should position itself differently. Also for reasons of coherence.” […] Brazil has always had a very balanced position and even tried to create spaces for reconciliation. This time that is not the case.
He mentioned Genoino's statement again and emphasized that the PT member was defended by Lula's ministers on Saturday (27).
“Not only is the government practically passive and actually supportive of what we have seen on the South African issue, but we are also seeing antiSemitic demonstrations. It's frustrating to see leaders of the stature of those who hold the executive branch.” “Branch today, and they are not sensitized,” he added.
Rafael Erdreich, Israel's consul in São Paulo, said the Hamas attack was “the bloodiest pogrom since World War II” and that the terror group, like the Nazis, aimed to destroy the Jewish people.
Fisesp President Marcos Knobel stated: “If they could, Hamas terrorists would have destroyed the state of Israel and the Jewish population of the world.”
“Where is the balanced tradition of Brazilian diplomacy? Where is the word of comfort and support from the federal government for our community?,” he asked.
Eleven Holocaust survivors took part in the ceremony, including Poland's Sarah Lewin, 98, who performed on the piano. Women from the community wore a dress with the names of the 136 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas.
At the event, Conib also launched an online monitoring platform to combat antiSemitism and hate speech against Jews.
Established by the United Nations in 2005, International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust takes place on January 27, the day 1,945 prisoners were released from Auschwitz, the largest Nazi extermination camp.