Lula's foreign policy results in Brazil's weak condemnation of Iran's attack, experts report

• Published date: 17 April 2024
• Author: NATHAN KLABIN/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org

On Monday, Brazil's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a note that fell short of condemning Iran's attack. "Brazil appeals to all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and calls on the international community to mobilize efforts to prevent escalation," the ministry stated.

The statement was considered another sign of the historically weak diplomatic relations between Israel and Brazil. The relationship between the two countries has been in crisis since February, when Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva compared the war in Gaza to the Holocaust.

After a wave of public criticism, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira explained the note in a press conference. "The original note was made when Iran's attack had just begun," Vieira said. "We also expressed the fear that the operation could contaminate other countries. But this was done when we didn't have a clear understanding of the extent or scope of the measures taken, and, as we always do, we appealed for restraint and understanding between the parties."

"Brazil always condemns any act of violence and calls for understanding between the parties," Vieira continued.

Brazil's evolving Middle East diplomacy

The Media Line spoke to Monique Sochaczewski, a leading foreign policy scholar based in Rio de Janeiro and an Israel studies fellow at Brandeis University, about Brazil's evolving diplomatic stance during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"During the initial developments of October 7 between Israel and Hamas, Brazilian diplomacy seemed to follow its tradition of a balanced and constructive dialogue for peace, but as the war progressed and increased the number of...