In 2024, 370 reports of attacks and threats against Jews in Brazil have already been recorded. The unprecedented data, obtained by CNN , counts cases until this Sunday (18).
The information comes from the Brazilian Israeli Confederation (Conib), which manages an internet platform for monitoring cases and promoting information against antisemitism.
In January, there were 191 situations and, so far in February, another 179 cases. Most deal with swearing and hate speech in face-to-face episodes or on social media. The worst month, so far, was November 2023, with 677 complaints.
Since last October, with the start of the war by Hamas, and decisions taken by the Israeli government in the war, demonstrations of racism against Jews have increased, according to Conib.
For political and articulation agents of the Jewish community in Brazil, statements by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva help to encourage the wave of anger against Israel.
“He (Lula) doesn’t know how to measure what his statement might have an impact on, by doing so he encourages hate speech,” said Cláudio Lottenberg, president of Conib, to CNN .
Earlier, ministers and government leaders endorsed Lula’s position, drawing attention to the number of women and children killed in the confrontation in the Gaza Strip so far. Planalto reiterated that Brazil condemns Hamas’ actions but also does not agree with Israel’s level of response. “President Lula’s words have always been for peace and to strengthen the feeling of solidarity among people,” stated the minister of the presidential communications secretariat, Paulo Pimenta, on the X network, formerly Twitter.
