An unusual moment of solidarity unfolded at the United Nations General Assembly when Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva kissed Colombian President Gustavo Petro on his head after his fiery speech on the Gaza conflict.
In his address, Petro launched a scathing attack on Israel, describing Israelis as “Nazis” and accusing them of carrying out genocide against Palestinians. He urged the creation of an international military coalition, led by Asian nations, to “liberate Palestine,” and called for blocking ships carrying weapons to Israel.
Lula’s gesture drew global attention, interpreted as a powerful signal of support for Petro’s remarks. International media and UN delegates widely noted the act as unprecedented in the setting of the world body.
The Colombian leader, a vocal critic of Israel since the war began in October 2023, evoked Holocaust references in his speech. He suggested Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels seemed to be “directing today’s global communications” on Gaza, adding that the most anti-Semitic act today was “repeating Hitler’s Holocaust, this time against Palestinians.”
His comments triggered sharp criticism from the United States and Jewish groups, who condemned the comparisons and rhetoric.
Petro’s words are not just rhetoric but reflect Colombia’s policy shifts in recent years: In October 2023, Israel halted security exports to Colombia after Petro likened its defence minister to Nazis. Months later, Colombia itself suspended all weapons purchases from Israel.
In May 2024, Petro declared Colombia would sever diplomatic relations with Israel, calling its leadership “genocidal.”
Colombia has formally sought to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
With Lula’s public show of solidarity at the UN, the diplomatic rift over Gaza has now gained a striking new image of Latin American unity against Israel’s actions.
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