Brazil has withdrawn from Holocaust remembrance alliance, citing legal barriers and Gaza conflict as tensions rise over its support for genocide case against Israel. Image: AP.
(The Post News)– Brazil has formally withdrawn from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), just days after joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The move, which follows closely on the heels of Brazil’s support for legal proceedings accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza, has ignited criticism from Jewish organizations and Israeli officials alike.
The IHRA, which works globally to preserve Holocaust memory and tackle antisemitism, confirmed Brazil’s withdrawal. While the Brazilian government has not released a full statement outlining the reasons, its Foreign Ministry has pointed to “recurring episodes of violence against the civilian population in the State of Palestine” as justification for its decision to intervene at the ICJ.
Brazil has been an observer at the IHRA since 2021. Its recent decision to exit the alliance, announced as the conflict in Gaza intensifies, has sparked concerns that the move might be driven more by political considerations than by procedural or institutional reasons. According to reports from Metrópoles and confirmed by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the Brazilian government notified the Israeli embassy in Brasília last week.
Fernando Lottenberg, Commissioner for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism at the Organization of American States, warned the decision could have domestic consequences. “Being integrated into the IHRA is a way to demonstrate commitment to peace, Holocaust education, and the fight against antisemitism,” Lottenberg told UOL. “Especially at a time of rising hate, great care must be taken so that actions unrelated to diplomatic tensions do not affect the safety of the large Jewish community living in the country.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the move a “profound moral failure” and accused Brazil of turning its back on the global fight against antisemitism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry said, “At a time when Israel is fighting for its very existence, turning against the Jewish state and abandoning the global consensus against antisemitism is both reckless and shameful.”
Meanwhile, the Palestine Arab Federation of Brazil (FEPAL) has praised the government’s stance. The group referred to the IHRA as “an arm of Zionism” that seeks to “criminalize” criticism of Israel and described the decision as a step towards justice for Palestinians.
The IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, which Brazil now distances itself from, has been adopted by more than 45 countries. Though not legally binding, it has become a widely recognized benchmark in combatting antisemitism globally.
Journalist-Nkosinathi@thepostnews.net
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