Diplomatic relations between Israel and Brazil are now operating “at a low level,” after Brazil refused to approve Gali Dagan as the new ambassador from Israel, prompting the Jewish state to withdraw its request, the foreign ministry confirmed.
“After Brazil, unusually, refrained from replying to Ambassador Dagan’s request for agrément, Israel withdrew the request, and relations between the countries are now being conducted at a lower diplomatic level,” the foreign ministry stated.
The ministry further added that the “critical and hostile line that Brazil has displayed toward Israel” has worsened since Hamas ignited the war with its terror attack in 2023 and was further “intensified” by comments made throughout the duration of the war by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Brazil's declining relationship with Israel
Lula has been declared “persona non grata” after he accused Israel of carrying out a genocide in Gaza, drawing on Holocaust references to illustrate his claim. The country also joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the Hague, formalizing Lula’s accusations of genocide.
In July, Brazil withdrew from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, where it had served as an observer member since 2021.
Brazil, a member of BRICS, also has relations with Iran despite its attacks against the Jewish state, including civilian populations, and a long record of human rights abuses.
Brazil has not had an ambassador in Israel since it withdrew the former ambassador last year.
André Lajst, Executive Director of StandWithUs Brazil, commented: "The Brazilian government’s refusal to authorize the appointment of Israel’s ambassador is yet another step that deepens the country’s international isolation and damages its relationship with one of its most important allies in the Middle East. Instead of promoting dialogue and cooperation in diplomacy, trade, and culture, the government chooses unilateral measures that weaken Brazil’s standing on the global stage. We urge the government to return to a path of responsibility and constructive engagement with Israel and the international community."
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.