Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has sharply criticized Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, declaring him persona non grata in Israel after Brazil refused to accept Israel's newly designated ambassador. Katz accused President Lula of disrespecting the memory of the Holocaust and labeled him as an antisemite and supporter of Hamas, particularly after Brazil withdrew from the international body dedicated to combating antisemitism. Katz compared Brazil's position to that of regimes like Iran and expressed disappointment for the Brazilian people. He concluded by affirming Israel's resolve to defend itself and expressed hope for improved relations in the future.