He said that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip just as Hitler decided to kill the Jews.

Luis Inacio Lula da Silva This Sunday, he accused Israel of “genocide” against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, and in his criticism, he made a comparison that provoked international condemnation: he compared Israeli war operations to Adolf Hitler's campaign when he decided to kill Jews. “, referring to the Holocaust.

“What is happening in the Gaza Strip is not war, it is genocide,” the Brazilian president told reporters in Addis Ababa. In EthiopiaThere he participated as a guest at the annual summit of the African Union.

Lula addressed the conflict in the Gaza Strip, saying, “This is not a war against soldiers, it is a war between soldiers. A highly prepared army and women and children“.

What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people This has never happened in any other era. of history,” Lula said, but, immediately, he corrected himself and found a controversial parallel. “In fact, it happened: When Hitler decided to kill the Jews” he added.

The phrase made an immediate impact. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for Lula's comments “Shameful and Serious”It says that they set A “trivialization of the Holocaust”and announced that his government Called the Brazilian ambassador to Israel.

“Comparison between Israel and the Nazis and Hitler's Holocaust It means crossing the red line.”The president said in a statement in which he insisted Israel was “struggling to defend itself.”

In the same speech, the Brazilian president made a veiled defense Vladimir PutinWhen surprised “Why are you so quick to accuse?“When asked about the death of Alexei Navalny, Russia's main enemy of the current regime, Lula refused to enter into “speculation” about Putin's responsibilities. “If there is any doubt about the death, an investigation must first be conducted to find out what he is. is dead,” he said.

“If the death is suspicious, I think it's a matter of common sense (…) First, an inquiry must be conducted as to why he died“, announced the President of Brazil in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was the guest of honor at the annual summit of the African Union.

The leader of the main Latin American power asked to wait for forensic results before making any comment.

Otherwise, if he says, “I don't know who he judged and ordered the murder, it wasn't him.” Then you have to apologizeHe said at a press conference.

His statements constitute the first reactions to Navalny's death from members of the BRICS, a group of emerging nations that includes India, China, Russia and South Africa.

Lula was criticized by Western powers For getting the most favorable position for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The leader, who returned to occupy Brazil's presidency in January 2023 after a mandate from far-right Jair Bolsonaro, has criticized the US and European Union's (EU) responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and has refused to join. Western sanctions against Russia.