Israel has announced that it has downgraded its diplomatic relationship with Brazil, a decision stemming from Brazil’s refusal to accept Israel’s nominee for ambassador. According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Brazil “unusually” failed to respond to a request to approve the credentials of Ambassador Gali Dagan, prompting Israel to withdraw the nomination.
A Deepening Diplomatic Rift
The move marks a new low in the already strained relationship between the two countries, which has deteriorated significantly since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. This is not the first time such an issue has arisen; in 2015, Brazil refused to accept the credentials of Dani Dayan, a former head of the Yesha umbrella council of settlement mayors, a move that also caused a diplomatic impasse.
The recent decline in relations has been fueled by several events. Last year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Brazilian President Lula da Silva persona non grata after he compared Israel’s military actions in Gaza to the Holocaust. Lula da Silva also recalled Brazil’s ambassador from Israel and later relocated him to another post.
Additionally, Brazil’s decision to support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of carrying out “genocidal acts” in the Gaza Strip, has further aggravated tensions. With no ambassador in place for either country, the diplomatic channels are now being conducted at a reduced level.