Brazilian President Lula recalls ambassador to Israel, escalating dispute

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recalled his ambassador to Israel on Monday as tensions between the countries escalated over the Brazilian leader's sharp comments against Israel's war against Hamas.

Mr. Lula recalled the ambassador, Frederico Meyer, to Brazil “for consultations,” according to a statement from the country's foreign ministry.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reprimanded Mr. Meyer on Monday over comments in which Mr. Lula compared Israel's actions in the war to the Holocaust.

“What is happening in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments,” Mr. Lula told reporters on Sunday at the 37th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. But, he added, “it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.”

Also on Monday, Mr. Katz said Mr. Lula was not welcome in the country until he takes back his comments.

Citing “the seriousness” of the statements made by Israeli officials, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira also summoned the Israeli ambassador to a meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, the statement said.

Mr Lula's recall of his envoy will not mean a permanent break in diplomatic relations as the Brazilian embassy in Israel will remain open. But the disagreement highlights a growing rift between Israel and countries that have been reluctant to join in support of its military action in Gaza, especially South Africa and Brazil.