Brazil Jewish leader warns of antisemitism under new president

In a tight runoff election in Brazil, leftist former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva returned to power with just over 51% of the vote, defeating the incumbent right-wing president by a margin of roughly two percentage points. The result has set off alarm among the country's Jewish community.

Attorney Rafael Antaki, president of the Mizrachi movement and the Zionist Federation in Brazil, spoke from Rio de Janeiro and described the complex picture facing Brazilian Jewry under the renewed left-wing government.

"The president claims Israel is committing genocide"

"We are essentially continuing in a situation that is not good for Jews," Antaki said. "We now have a president who refuses to call Hamas a terror organization, and who claims that what Israel is doing in its war against the murderers is defined as 'genocide.' This creates a very difficult atmosphere."

The deep divide between the camps in Brazil, he said, directly affects Israel's standing and the treatment of Jews: "The PLO flag has become an inseparable part of the left's struggles, while anyone identified with Israel is attacked. The moment the country's leader speaks this way about Israel and does not condemn terror, every person who hates Jews feels legitimacy and freedom to raise his head and incite."

Graffiti near shuls and strict entry checks

Antaki described the practical impact on the daily lives of observant Jews and Jewish educational institutions in the country:

"We are seeing a sharp rise in antisemitism, especially on social media where people allow themselves to lash out without restraint, but also on the street. Graffiti is often sprayed near Jewish institutions, schools and shuls, slogans of hatred accusing Jews of murdering children."

The fragile security situation has led to unprecedented tightening of security procedures:

"Today, at almost every entrance to a Jewish institution or shul there is heavy security. A tourist or Israeli who arrives and wants to daven with a minyan on Shabbos, he cannot simply walk in; he must register in advance, send a copy of his passport and undergo a comprehensive check, otherwise they will not let him in out of concern for the safety of those who are davening."

"Hashem runs everything"

Asked about the feelings among community members looking ahead, he expressed disappointment with the results but emphasized the perspective of emunah:

"For us it is a disappointment, but as a believing person I know that G-d runs and arranges everything. Perhaps this is the plan from Heaven, to give us another push, courage and desire to get up and make aliyah to Iisrael."

At the end of the interview he sent a warm message to the residents of Israel: "We are davening for your success, hoping that the traditional-national camp and the right will win, and that we will merit to see good news and days of quiet and security for all of Am Yisrael."