Israel Downgrades Diplomatic Ties with Brazil

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that it is reducing the level of diplomatic relations with Brazil after Brasília refused to approve the credentials of Jerusalem’s nominee for ambassador.

The move marks a new low in bilateral ties strained by the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a statement issued late Monday, the ministry confirmed it had withdrawn its request for the appointment of Gali Dagan as ambassador to Brazil.

The communiqué added that relations between the two nations will now be conducted at a lower diplomatic level, though Israel stressed it would continue to maintain strong connections with its many allies in Brazil.

The dispute follows Brazil’s decision in May to recall its ambassador to Israel, Frederico Meyer, for consultations after sharp exchanges between the two governments earlier this year over the Gaza conflict. 

A senior Brazilian official, Celso Amorim, adviser to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, later declared that Meyer would not return to Tel Aviv.

President Lula has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a claim that has drawn fierce criticism from Israeli officials and further deepened diplomatic rifts.