SWC Commends Goias, First Brazilian State to Adopt the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

February 29, 2024

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today commended the Governor of the State of Goias in Brazil, Ronaldo Caiado, who signed a document adopting the Definition of anti-Semitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).  Goias becomes the first state in Brazil to do so.  

The signing ceremony was attended by national, state and municipal authorities, security forces and members of the local Jewish and evangelical communities.

During the ceremony, Governor Caiado said: “President Lula's statements do not represent the people of Brazil. Today we begin to rebuild the respect that he made us lose.”

The document adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism was also signed by the Ambassador of the State of Israel in Brazil, Daniel Zohar Zonshine and the Simon Wiesenthal Center`s Director for Latin America, Dr. Ariel Gelblung.

Dr. Gelbung also participated in the inauguration of the Am Israel Chai Park (The People of Israel Lives), where 1,200 trees will be planted in living tribute to those murdered on October 7, 2023 by the Hamas terrorist group.

Dr. Gelblung concluded: “Brazil is a country of peace, with a historical message of coexistence and balance. President Lula's deplorable comparison between Israel's just war against Hamas with the truly genocidal crimes of Hitler and the Nazis against the Jews during the Holocaust is rejected by the vast majority of the Brazilian population.  What is worse, he denies the anti-Semitic nature of his statements, hiding behind Brazil's IHRA observer status.  However, his national administration does not adopt the definition or present plans to become a full member. What happened today in Goias is a clear example that the people of Brazil think differently. This will surely be confirmed with future adoptions by other governmental entities.”