Top State Department Antisemitism Official Declares Petro, Lula, Zelaya ‘Crossed the Line’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) convened a hearing in the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee where the State Department’s top official to combat antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, rebuked the rampant antisemitism coming from several left-wing Latin American leaders, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, among others.
While Israel received an outpouring of sympathy from many world leaders following the barbaric October 7th attack on Israeli civilians, some Latin American heads of state have doubled down on antisemitic tropes and claims of genocide in response to the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) campaign to end Hamas-sponsored terrorism.
“In Latin America, we’re seeing an explosion of antisemitism. Since the October 7th terrorist attack, Colombia, Honduras, and Chile recalled their ambassadors to Israel and Bolivia cut off diplomatic relations entirely, all while engaging in routine criticism,” said Chairwoman Salazar. “It is worrisome that under Biden being on board with the woke agenda seems more important than defending Israel.”
In the beginning of her remarks, Chairwoman Salazar detailed the extensive list of antisemitic tropes, comments, or policy decisions that several leaders of Latin American countries have engaged in since October 7. In response, the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt emphasized that these comments are irresponsible and “crossed the line” into antisemitism.
Chairwoman Salazar also contrasted the Biden Administration’s treatment of our allies in Latin America (many of whom have condemned Hamas’ attack on October 7 ferociously) like Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala with those countries whose leaders have promoted antisemitism, like Colombian President Petro and Brazilian President Lula. Salazar reminded the Biden Administration that standing with Israel internationally requires condemning antisemitism abroad, no matter who it comes from.
Rep. Salazar is a leader in combating antisemitism both at home and abroad. She has repeatedly criticized leaders abroad who have espoused antisemitism and introduced legislation to fight it here in the United States.
To listen to Chairwoman Salazar’s opening remarks, click here. To watch the full hearing, click here.
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