Israeli FM Saar defends Bolsonaro, criticizes Lula in exchange with Lapid

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar clashed with opposition leader Yair Lapid on social media over the results of the Brazilian presidential election, defending defeated candidate Jair Bolsonaro as a "friend of Israel" while condemning President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Source: infobae Source: Listín Diario

The exchange

Lapid posted on X that "two close allies of Netanyahu lost last night in the elections due to a high voter turnout," referring to Lula and Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic. Saar responded sharply, calling Lapid a "know-it-all" and asserting that both Vucic and Bolsonaro are "great friends of Israel." Source: infobae Saar accused Lula of comparing Israel's Gaza offensive—which has killed over 74,500 Palestinians—to the Holocaust and of alleging genocide. In contrast, he noted that Bolsonaro had promised to move Brazil's embassy to Jerusalem. Source: Listín Diario

Disagreement and nuance

While Saar framed Bolsonaro as a pro-Israel ally, Lapid clarified that he was "very dissatisfied with Lula's victory" and always supports "pro-Israel" candidates. However, Lapid also argued that "today, being close to Netanyahu is a political liability worldwide. Even in Israel." Source: infobae Saar further accused Lapid of opposing Bolsonaro after the Brazilian "announced he does not recognize the results due to his claim of an illegal extension of voting hours." Source: Listín Diario

Broader context

The exchange comes as Israel prepares for its own elections on October 27, where polls favor the opposition bloc led by Lapid over Netanyahu's coalition. Lapid used the electoral shifts in Serbia and Brazil to urge Israelis to vote. Source: infobae