Brazil’s Lula Compares Israel’s Assault In Gaza To The Holocaust

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called out Israel for committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, comparing the monthslong military offensive in the territory with the Holocaust.

Speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, the left-wing leader said on Sunday that the ongoing violence in Gaza by the Israeli military “isn’t a war, it’s a genocide.” The comments come a day after summit leaders condemned the bombardment and called for an immediate cease-fire.

“It’s not a war of soldiers against soldiers,” Lula said. “It’s a war between a highly prepared army, and women and children.”

In addition to decades of occupation, Israel launched an offensive on Gaza after Hamas militants attacked the country on Oct. 7 — killing about 1,200 and capturing hundreds, about 130 of whom are assumed to still be in Gaza. Lula called the assault by Hamas a “terrorist” act on Oct. 7 itself.

Israel’s retaliation has killed almost 30,000 Gazans — mostly women and children, according to Palestinian authorities. The attack has also left many more civilians severely wounded and without limbs; starved families by blocking food and water; caused disease spread by blocking medical aid and bombing hospitals; destroyed schools and humanitarian shelters; disproportionately attacked Palestinian journalists; and displaced the millions who now crowd in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israeli forces are preparing to invade.

Since Oct. 7, Lula’s position on Israel’s retaliation has become increasingly critical, and the leader has previously described the government’s actions as genocide. The Brazilian president is a vocal supporter of South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide before the United