A report by Conib paints a troubling picture of the new reality of antisemitism in Brazil—what is being called “the new normal” of hatred against Jews in the country, which has been growing since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

This new antisemitism—centered on the demonization of the State of Israel and its supporters—draws on narratives and iconography historically associated with hatred and violence against Jews over centuries, now updated to fit the complex reality of the Middle East conflict. Accusations range from claims of the deliberate killing of children to comparisons that distort Holocaust memory, always assigning collective blame to Jews for imagined crimes.

It is not only prejudice that is growing. It is its normalization.

And this is the most dangerous point. Because antisemitism, throughout history, has never relied solely on extreme acts. It advances and thrives when it becomes diffuse.

When it infiltrates daily life. When it begins to be tolerated, relativized, or reinterpreted as something minor. When it ceases to cause discomfort.

Brazil is still far from the more extreme scenarios observed in other parts of the world. But the signs of escalation are clear. And they concern not only the Jewish community, but society’s ability to confront hatred, lies, and the manipulation of facts.

“This report is a warning to everyone—including government officials, politicians, the media, academics, and influencers—that when hatred proliferates, it expands the boundaries of what is tolerable and becomes a threat to society as a whole.” — Claudio Lottenberg, President of the Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB).

Source: Célia Bensadon

Photos of the event for the release of the report:

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)