On Wednesday, US top diplomat Antony Blinken met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was embroiled in a diplomatic fight with Israel following statements comparing Israel’s war in Gaza to the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.
In brief remarks to media as they met at Brasilia’s presidential palace, Lula mentioned that the US presidential elections are coming up in November.
Following the nearly two-hour meeting, the Brazilian presidential office stated that Lula and Blinken covered a variety of topics, including the G20 summit and peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine.
“President Lula reaffirmed his wish for peace and an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip,” the Brazilian administration said. “Both agreed on the need for the creation of a Palestinian State.”
US officials had previously stated that they expected Lula and Blinken to have an in-depth discussion on global security issues, particularly the Gaza crisis.
On Monday, Israel stated that Lula is not welcome in Israel unless he retracts his words.
