Brazilian Senate Declares Israel Friendship Day Despite Lula Opposition

In a bold move that stands in stark contrast to President Lula da Silva’s escalating hostility toward Israel, Brazil’s Federal Senate has officially designated April 12 as Brazil–Israel Friendship Day.

The law, which took effect on June 25, passed with the backing of centrist and right-leaning parties, establishing an annual observance that celebrates diplomatic, historical, and cultural ties with the Jewish state. The initiative was spearheaded by Senator Davi Alcolumbre, himself a proud member of Brazil’s Jewish community, and was designed to reaffirm the deep-rooted bonds between the two nations.

“This goes beyond diplomacy,” Alcolumbre stated. “It recognizes and values ​​the historical, cultural and social contribution of the Jewish community in Brazil, a vibrant, plural community deeply rooted in our national fabric.”

The date chosen April 12 commemorates the opening of Brazil’s embassy in Israel in 1951, just three years after Israel’s founding. The move signals a growing parliamentary rejection of Lula’s controversial foreign policy, especially following his inflammatory remarks equating Israel’s military actions against Hamas with the Holocaust.

In February, Lula likened Israel to Nazi Germany, provoking outrage and condemnation across the political spectrum. In May, he accused Israel of targeting civilians and committing “genocide” in Gaza rhetoric that echoes the language of Hamas sympathizers and is starkly misaligned with facts on the ground. These comparisons, which fall squarely under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, have fueled diplomatic strain and growing unrest within Brazil's own Jewish population.

The Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB) applauded the new law, noting it reflects the true sentiments of the Brazilian people. “The president of the Senate reaffirms the feelings of the Brazilian people, who have love, respect and gratitude for Israel,” the organization stated. “Israel is also grateful to Brazil, because in the figure of Oswaldo Aranha, it recognizes the importance of our country in the creation of the Jewish state.”

Indeed, Brazil played a pivotal role in the founding of modern Israel. Aranha, then-president of the United Nations General Assembly, was instrumental in advancing the 1947 partition plan that led to the re-establishment of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel.

Brazil is home to the second-largest Jewish population in Latin America, with approximately 92,000 Jews. It also has a robust history of friendship with Israel one that appears increasingly cherished by Brazilian citizens, even as political winds shift.

This latest legislative step is not merely symbolic. It signals a cultural pushback against antisemitism and a reaffirmation of the enduring alliance between the Brazilian people and the Jewish state. As Israel continues to face diplomatic assaults, it is precisely these acts of solidarity grounded in truth and historical justice that shine most brightly.

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