Know Your Foe

In the US, the Squad monopolizes the anti-Israel spotlight, and President Joe Biden and Senator Chuck Schumer have lurched hard leftward. But a panoply of officials in other countries have also played leading roles, and certain Western European and Latin American politicians have given standout performances. Here is a rogues’ gallery of anti-Israel voices around the world.

Lula da Silva

Title: President of Brazil

Alignment: Far left

Quote: “What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.”

Trend: Lula is Latin America’s torchbearer for leftist ideology, and his anti-Israel stance has influenced other socialist leaders’ attitudes, as seen in Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia. Brazil is a key player on the global stage as a co-founder of the BRICS partnership. It has strong ties with the United States, Europe, and Arab nations alike.

Pedro Sánchez

Title: Prime minister of Spain

Alignment: Socialist

Quote: “What we are seeing in Gaza is not acceptable. The indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, is completely unacceptable.”

Trend: When Europe gave support to Israel after October 7, Spain emerged as an early voice of dissent — to the extent that Sánchez earned praise from Hamas. A leading advocate for recognition of a Palestinian state, Sánchez constantly accuses Israel of “excesses.” Like Biden, he is under considerable pressure to maintain this stance to appease his far-left coalition partners.