Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, Amichai Chikli, published a letter criticizing the Lula (PT) government following an investigation order from the Brazilian Court against an Israeli soldier on vacation in Brazil.
In a letter addressed to federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), Chikli speaks of “persecution against Israelis in Brazil by the Lula government”.
“The fact that the Brazilian judiciary, with the support of President Lula, engages with individuals with such extreme views – especially as we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz – is a shame for the Brazilian people,” he said.
When speaking of “individuals with such extreme views”, Chikli refers to the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), which, represented by Brazilian lawyers, filed a lawsuit against an Israeli soldier – Yuval Vagdani – who allegedly committed war crimes in Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip.
The Federal Court on December 30th, with orders on January 3rd to send material to the Federal Police (PF).
Brazil is a signatory to treaties such as the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute, which establish actions to combat war crimes and criminals, even if the actions were committed outside the country.
Vagdani was on vacation in Bahia. According to the Israeli government, the soldier headed to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.
After the repercussion of the case, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media.
“Anti-Israeli elements may exploit these publications to initiate unfounded legal proceedings,” he said in a statement.
In his letter to Eduardo Bolsonaro, Chikli said he was “confident” that the majority of Brazilians oppose the Lula government’s actions, which “will forever tarnish the nation’s proud history.”
“Let us consider the Brazilian people an ally in the global fight against terrorism, anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of Israel,” he added.
A CNN He sought out Palácio do Planalto and Itamaraty to comment on the Israeli minister’s accusations, but has not yet received a response.
