Hamas Leader Expresses Honor Over Lula’s Statements

The Workers’ Cause Party (PCO) Video Featuring Hamas Leader Basem Naim

On Monday, the Workers’ Cause Party (PCO), a left-wing political party in Brazil, aired a video showcasing Basem Naim, a prominent figure within the Palestinian group Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. Naim expressed his gratitude towards former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his statements regarding the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Basem Naim’s Statement on Brazil

The video, which was released during a PCO event, captured Naim’s sentiments towards Brazil, which he referred to as a “Palestinian-friendly country”. He went on to acknowledge and commend the statements made by Lula da Silva, expressing his gratitude for the Brazilian leader’s support towards the Palestinian cause.

Lula da Silva’s Stance on the Palestinian Cause

“We are sincerely honored by the recent statements made by officials, most notably those made by President Lula da Silva. His commitment and bold stances in support of the Palestinian cause, specifically his call for a ceasefire and an end to the aggression against our people, are greatly appreciated,” the Hamas leader said in the video.

Lula da Silva’s Comparison of Gaza Strip to Holocaust

In February, Lula da Silva made a comparison between the current situation in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people and the Holocaust, where “Hitler decided to kill the Jews”. He referred to the Israeli offensive in Gaza as genocide, a statement that was highly criticized.

Reaction to Lula da Silva’s Statement

Hamas agreed with Lula’s description of the events in Gaza, labeling it as an “accurate description”. The Israeli government, however, declared the Brazilian president persona non grata. Despite this, Lula da Silva maintained his accusations of genocide in his subsequent public statements.

Israel’s Offensive in the Gaza Strip

In response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7 last year, Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip. This resulted in the death of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 individuals. More than a hundred of these kidnapped individuals remain in captivity.

Dispute over Casualty Figures

The Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, has reported that approximately 30,500 people have died in the enclave since the commencement of the war. Israel, however, disputes these figures.