Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino has strongly criticized Israel after its Mossad spy agency claimed to have helped thwart an attack by Hezbollah on Jewish targets in Brazil. In an unusual statement published on Wednesday, the Mossad agency thanked Brazilian police and mentioned that Hezbollah was continuing to target Israeli, Jewish, and Western interests due to the conflict in Gaza.
On the same day, Brazil’s Federal Police arrested two individuals on terrorism charges and conducted 11 search and seizure operations. Without explicitly mentioning Israel, Dino emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty and stated that no foreign power should dictate the actions of the Brazilian Federal Police. He clarified that the investigations leading to the recent operations had started prior to the international conflicts and were unrelated to them.
Dino expressed appreciation for international cooperation but rejected any foreign authority attempting to direct Brazilian law enforcement or use the investigations for propaganda or political purposes. Although he did not explicitly deny the Israeli statement’s details, Dino seemed more upset about its timing, tone, and connection to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Israeli government has not yet responded to Dino’s comments.
These remarks could strain relations between Brazil and Israel as Brazil seeks to negotiate the safe return of approximately 30 Brazilians still in Gaza. Furthermore, an increasing number of Latin American countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile, have taken a stronger stance against Israel following the Gaza conflict sparked by Hamas attacks on October 7. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has attempted to balance criticism of Hamas with calls for a ceasefire.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, and the Iranian government have not provided any immediate comments on the matter.
