Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had a direct conversation with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil regarding his recent controversial remarks about Israel, particularly his comparison of Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust.
This exchange highlights how the ongoing conflict in Gaza has evolved into a broader diplomatic issue for the United States, with an increasing number of nations speaking out against Israel’s offensive due to the rising death toll.
Tensions between Brazil and Israel escalated after Mr. Lula’s comments, prompting strong reactions from Israeli officials and leading to the recall of Brazil’s ambassador to Israel for consultations.
During a 90-minute meeting in Brasília, Mr. Blinken expressed his disagreement with Mr. Lula’s statements and emphasized the U.S.’s efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and implement humanitarian pauses. The conversation was described as calm and respectful, with both leaders agreeing on the goal of ending the conflict as soon as possible.
The dispute over Israel’s actions in Gaza has become a point of contention in the Biden administration’s relations with Brazil, underscoring the broader impact of the conflict on American diplomacy.
2024-02-21 14:17:47
Source from www.nytimes.com