Israel Reacts to Itamaraty Note and Says Brazil Is "Irrelevant"

07/28/2014 - 08h41

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DIOGO BERCITO

SPECIAL ENVOY TO GAZA

The Israeli government responded harshly on Thursday (24) to Brazil's condemnation yesterday of the offensive in Gaza, which has already left 800 people dead, mostly Palestinian civilians.

To a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Brazil behaves itself as an "irrelevant" actor. Hamas, the target of the offensive and the group responsible for launching more than 2,000 rockets into Israel, praised Brazil.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed to Folha that "Brazil is choosing to be part of the problem instead of being part of the solution."

"Its behavior on this issue illustrates why this economic and cultural giant remains politically irrelevant," said spokesperson Yigal Palmor. When speaking to the Jerusalem Post, Palmor called Brazil a "diplomatic dwarf."

On Wednesday (23), Itamaraty issued a statement condemning the "disproportionate" use of force by Israel.

In an interview with Jornal Nacional, on Globo TV, Palmor also joked, "When it's 7-1, it's disproportionate," in reference to Brazil's defeat to Germany during the World Cup.

This Friday (25), the advisor to the President of the Republic for international affairs, Marco Aurélio Garcia, downplayed the statements made by the Israeli spokesperson. "He is the sub of a sub of a sub of a sub of a sub of a sub," he said.

Brazil also called for consultation the ambassador to Tel Aviv, Henrique Pinto, a strong gesture of rebuke. A complaint was made to the Israeli representative in Brasília, Rafael Eldad.

The note does not mention Palestinian attacks, unlike previous demonstrations at Itamaraty on the issue.

Israel also issued a press release expressing its "disappointment" with Brazil's decision, "which ignores Israel's right to defend itself."

"Such measures do not help support calmness and stability in the region. Instead, they provide support to terrorism and, naturally, affect Brazil's ability to exert influence," says the note.

In São Paulo, Chancellor Luiz Alberto Figueiredo sought to minimize the case. He stated that there was no harm caused in Brazil's relationship with Israel.

"Brazil is one of 11 countries with diplomatic relations with all UN members. If there is a diplomatic dwarf, Brazil is not one of them," he declared.

According to Figueiredo, the country also condemns Hamas. "We are absolutely opposed to the fact that Hamas released rockets into Israel. The condemnation we already declared continues. But we would never contest Israel's right to defend itself. What we are contesting is the disproportionality," he said.

PALESTINIANS

The Brazilian gesture was greeted with praise from Gaza. Residents of this stretch of land - already in its third week of a military operation - approached the Folha team to say thank you for the government's attitude.

Hamas, which controls Gaza, applauded the decision. "Brazil's passage is very important and is always on the side of justice," said spokesperson Ihab al-Ghussein. "We ask that all countries do the same."

The Fatah faction, which controls the West Bank, also praised the attitude of Itamaraty, but included caveats. "What was done by Brazil is one of several steps that every state should take," said spokesperson Xavier Abu Eid.

Translated by JILL LANGLOIS

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