Brazil's minister is angry after Israel linked its operation to prevent attacks in the South American country to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Brazilian police said on November 8 that they had arrested two suspects in the city of Sao Paulo on charges of plotting attacks in the country. Police did not provide information about the suspects' targets or motives.
Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said that the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group had planned the attack, targeting "Israeli and Jewish targets in Brazil." According to Israel, the attack was thwarted with their help.
Israel linked the activity to the fighting between it and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "Amid the fighting, Hezbollah and Iran continue to operate around the world to attack Israeli, Jewish and Western targets."
Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino expressed anger at Israel's claims, stressing that Brazil's investigation "started before the current tragedies" in the Middle East and "has nothing to do with international conflicts".
"We appreciate international cooperation in appropriate situations, but we oppose any foreign agency that appears to direct Brazilian police agencies or use our investigations for propaganda or to serve their political interests," Dino wrote on social network X on November 9.
He did not specifically deny any details of Israel's statement, but appeared angry about the timing, tone of the statement and how Israel linked the incident to the current war in Gaza.
Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino attends an event in the capital Brasilia on November 9. Photo: AFP
Brazilian police also issued a statement saying they "rejected the foreign government's claims" about the operation. "Such claims violate good international cooperation practices and could jeopardize similar operations in the future," Brazilian police said.
Israel's ambassador to Brazil was also criticised for commenting after the Sao Paulo arrest that "the fact that Hezbollah chose to plot an attack in Brazil shows that they have helpers here". Federal Police chief Andrei Passos Rodrigues said the Israeli ambassador's comments made him "deeply uncomfortable".
Brazilian media reported on November 9 that a person being questioned by police admitted to being recruited by a group linked to Hezbollah. Iran and Hezbollah have not commented on this information.
Justice Minister Dino's remarks are expected to cause a rift between Brazil and Israel, as the South American country tries to negotiate a safe exit for about 30 Brazilians still trapped in Gaza.
More Latin American countries are taking a tougher line against Israel over its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Bolivia cut diplomatic ties with Israel late last month, while Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors. Brazilian President Lula da Silva has sought to balance criticism of Hamas attacks with calls for a ceasefire.
Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )
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