After defending a journalist who called Jews rats, Gleisi complains about the anti-Semitic label

The national president of the PT, federal deputy Gleisi Hoffmann (PR), complained after having her position questioned by the Brazilian Israeli Confederation (Conib). On the 30th, the parliamentarian defended journalist Breno Altman, who celebrated Hezbollah’s entry into the war against Israel and compared Jews to rats.

After the start of the conflict, the journalist stated that Hamas is “a decisive part of the Palestinian resistance against the colonial State of Israel” and added that “it doesn’t matter what color the cats are, as long as they hunt mice.” For Gleisi, Altman is suffering a “persecution” by Conib. The entity reacted, on December 31, and said that the “deputy makes a prejudiced statement in relation to Conib, that is, of dual loyalty, classic jargon of anti-Semitism, which deserves total disapproval”. The PT president denied having made any anti-Semitic statement.

“Conib’s note, accusing me of prejudice and anti-Semitism, is proof that this entity does not tolerate criticism of Israel’s ultra-right government, wherever it comes from. We have never made or encouraged anti-Semitic statements or attitudes, as we respect all peoples and religions”, said the deputy in the social network on December 31st.

“We do and will continue to criticize the massacre of the Palestinian people by the Netanyahu government, in Gaza and the West Bank, which has long gone beyond the legitimate argument of Israel’s defense and turned into a genocidal operation. We also defend the right of expression of journalist Breno Altman, who is persecuted for criticizing Conib’s positions,” he added.

In November, the São Paulo Court of Justice (TJ-SP) ordered Altman to delete the posts. Furthermore, he became the target of a Federal Police investigation into his statements.

“Journalist Breno Altman, founder of the website Opera Mundi, promotes anti-Semitism and disinformation, relativizing the murders and rapes committed by Hamas and calling Jews ‘rats’, which was recognized by the Public Ministry and the Courts, which determined the imposition fine and removal of posts. The president of the Workers’ Party insists on defending him, questioning judicial decisions”, Conib pointed out in a note.

Gleisi criticized the confederation’s position. “We are for peace, dialogue and tolerance, but we will not remain silent in the face of undue pressure from this entity. The name of our country is Brazil and here everyone can live free from prejudice and impositions”, said the parliamentarian. This is not the first time that the congresswoman has defended Altman.

In OctoberGleisi stated that “the threats against journalist Breno Altmann, to whom we express solidarity, from radical Zionists who try to impede his right to expression and opinion are unacceptable and highlighted that those who repudiate the journalist’s statements” use the same method of propagating hatred and violence that the Nazis used against the Jewish people”.