Diretamente da Havan de Porto Alegre O FIM DO IMPERIALISMO NORTE AMERICANO pic.twitter.com/0xqWiFgpjz

— Váztnc (@iguanas89) December 15, 2025

According to local media, emergency services in Rio Grande do Sul state issued a severe warning due to forecasts of a storm with winds exceeding 90 km/h (56 mph), sent directly to residents' mobile phones. The storm caused additional damage throughout the state, including uprooted trees, flooding, and wind damage in several cities.

The Havan chain stated in an announcement that the statue was erected when the branch opened in 2020 and met all required standards. The company added that teams began clearing the debris, and a technical inspection will examine the circumstances of the collapse.

The post Statue of Liberty replica topples in Brazil windstorm appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Washington Post followed Brazilian journalist Clóvis Messerschmidt, who is convinced residents of his town have concealed secrets for decades about the escape of Nazis from Germany and crimes they committed during World War II.

Clovis, a small-town journalist for a local paper with circulation under 1,000 copies in Ibirubá, has devoted his life to finding the secret tunnel system that many town residents say lies beneath the town center and was used to smuggle Nazi war criminals and stolen property they brought from Europe. The town, where most residents have German ancestry dating to the 19th century, has been home to persistent rumors and mutual accusations among residents about Nazi collaboration.

At the heart of the investigation is Dr. Frederico Ernesto Braun, a town resident under whose house the journalist searched for tunnels and hidden chambers. According to Merschmidt, Braun faked his death in 1964 after a long life of conspiracies and crime, and maintained contact over the years with senior Nazis. An old photograph of Braun beside a man in a Nazi uniform confirms the theory for the journalist.

If the details sound somewhat implausible, it's worth noting that both contemporary newspapers and Brazilian police records show that a Nazi cell did operate in the town, gathering weapons, portraits of Hitler, and money to aid Nazi Germany during the war. Is it implausible to think the same cell mobilized after the war to help senior regime figures escape? Moreover, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal said at the time he received evidence that senior Nazi Martin Bormann was spotted in the Brazilian town. However, so far, Merschmidt's searches have raised more questions than they have answered.

At Braun's house, he discovered a hidden door leading to an underground chamber, which was sealed by high concrete walls. In other locations around town, he discovered mysterious shafts, but nothing beyond that.

"The soil in Ibirubá is dense and thick, without rocks or gravel, which is perfect soil for growing soybeans but terrible for digging tunnels. Amazingly, no one thinks that for 60 years, no such tunnel has collapsed," Brazilian historian Rene Gertz told The Washington Post.

He believes all Messerschmidt has is circumstantial evidence and an obsession. "This is another unfortunate case of a Brazilian town trying to deal with its Nazi past and with conspiracy theories," he told the American newspaper. But Messerschmidt himself hasn't ceased his search for the Nazi tunnel system. "What began as an article marking 60 years since the establishment of the town center has become a relentless search for the truth," he said.

The post Brazilian journalist hunts Nazi tunnels beneath his hometown appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Scenes of smoke have had local media dub the pictures "Gaza-like" and "state of war."

She was struck by a rifle shot to the face in the Alemão and Penha complexes. Nicknamed the "musa do crime" for posting provocative photos with weapons, "Penélope" was considered a trusted figure by trafficking leaders, tasked with protecting escape routes and drug sale points, according to Metrópoles.

Musa do crime, Japinha do CV teve o rosto esfacelado com tiro de fuzil

Apontada como uma figura de confiança dos líderes locais do tráfico, Penélope costumava atuar na proteção de rotas de fuga dos criminosos

Leia na coluna Na Mira, de @carloscarone78:… pic.twitter.com/iAzPWgljri

— Metrópoles (@Metropoles) October 29, 2025

Her body was found near a main community access point after hours of gunfire, Metrópoles noted. Reports indicate "Penélope" resisted and opened fire on agents before being fatally shot in the head. She was found wearing camouflage and a tactical vest with rifle magazine compartments, reinforcing her active front-line role for the faction, as reported by Metrópoles.

The death of "Penélope" occurred during the deadliest police operation in the state's history, Metrópoles confirmed. The operation concluded with 64 fatalities, including four police officers, and 81 arrests.

The Palácio Guanabara stated the action involved 2,500 agents from the Civil Police, Military Police, and special units, Metrópoles reported. The operation's objective was to halt the CV's territorial expansion and dismantle its logistical base.

Residents of the Grota, Fazendinha, and Vila Cruzeiro regions described a "night of terror." Metrópoles detailed accounts of helicopters overhead and armored vehicles clearing paths, with gunfire and explosions lasting until dawn.

Despite the massive police presence, some criminals managed to flee via alternative routes. Agents discovered tunnels and camouflaged passages between structures used for coordinated escapes, Metrópoles reported. The tactic recalled a similar maneuver seen during the 2010 invasion of Alemão.

The post Rio's largest-ever operation: 'Musa do crime' dies appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The father of the soldier told Israel Hayom, "Let us first have him return to the country. We're waiting for him to return to the country. We're okay, we're fighters. Everything will be alright."

The soldier, a survivor of the Nova party, was on vacation in Brazil when a federal court in the country issued an investigation order against him on suspicion of participation in murder and crimes against humanity. The soldier's family, who served in Gaza, lives in the Sharon region. Family members said that the soldier managed to escape from Brazil the moment he realized he would be taken for questioning regarding alleged war crimes. The family is in contact with him but prefers not to disclose where he fled. According to family members, he is expected to return to Israel soon.

Shlomi Abutbul, whose son is traveling abroad with the soldier, said: "Five friends were together. They were on Morro Island in Brazil, where there are many Israelis who survived Nova. They enjoyed parties and peaceful life for two weeks until yesterday when a call came from the consul, saying there was an arrest warrant against the soldier and that he had to fly out of there quickly. The friends unanimously decided not to leave him alone.  That night they received assistance and crossed the border into Argentina."

Abutbul added that the last conversation with his son was at five in the morning. "They said they were in Argentina and everything was fine. When I spoke to my son, I suggested he continue the trip in Argentina and not come home. Coming home is a prize for the Palestinians, and they would also ruin their trip. I'm not worried now. At first, I was worried and told them to cross the border. When I understood that they were helped to cross the border, I calmed down."

In a related development in Israel, the Ima Era (Awake Mother) organization, representing mothers of combat soldiers, delivered a strongly worded letter today to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi regarding the Brazilian authorities' investigation. The mothers expressed serious concern that unclear governmental policies and inflammatory statements by cabinet ministers are exposing soldiers to international legal jeopardy.

"The IDF has been conducting operations for 15 months without clear objectives or strategy due to the government's failure to establish definitive policies," the letter emphasizes. "This has resulted in a prolonged, exhausting campaign that not only drains our soldiers but also creates space for extreme viewpoints to penetrate both the IDF internally and the global perception externally."

The mothers highlight the government's inadequate response to repeated warnings about soldiers' vulnerability to international legal action. "Israel's government has chosen willful ignorance, allowing the chaos instigated by its most radical ministers to expand unchecked," their letter states.

At a recent emergency gathering of reserve commanders two weeks ago, participants cautioned that IDF personnel and defense officials would face increased risk of overseas arrest should the Israeli judicial system's independence be compromised. Former Attorney General Avichay Mendelblit, who previously served as chief military advocate general, echoed these concerns during the conference.

בברזיל פתחו בחקירה נגד תייר ישראלי שביקר במדינה ושירת בצה"ל במהלך המלחמה. הוא נאשם ב"פשעי מלחמה"- ולגודל האבסורד מדובר בבחור שניצל מהטבח במסיבת הנובה, אבל אותו מאשימים בפשעי מלחמה!!!
לא מפתיע אותי כשמדובר במדינה כמו ברזיל שהנשיא האנטישמי שלה לולה האשים את ישראל ברצח עם, טען… pic.twitter.com/nytExnNCCm

— יוסף חדאד - Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) January 5, 2025

Public diplomacy representative Yoseph Haddad addressed the situation on his X platform account, characterizing Brazil's actions as antisemitic. "This behavior is predictable from a country like Brazil, led by an antisemitic president, Lula, who has accused Israel of genocide, compared IDF operations to Hitler's actions, and absurdly claimed Israel killed 12 million children in Gaza (demonstrating an astounding level of ignorance)."

The post IDF soldier who survived Oct. 7 escapes Brazil as court seeks arrest appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Coffee lovers worldwide should brace for a significant hit to their wallets as adverse weather conditions and supply chain disruptions push coffee bean prices to a 13-year high. Brazil, the world's leading coffee producer, grapples with severe drought, intensifying the global shortage and driving up costs for consumers across the board.

Coffee, one of the world's most coveted commodities, has already experienced substantial price increases in recent years. However, your daily cup is poised to become even more expensive. 

In the US, futures contracts for coffee beans surged nearly 5 percent, reaching $2.718 per pound – a price not seen since 2011. The shortage of the more affordable Robusta beans has fueled increased demand for the Arabica variety.

Brazil's coffee fields have been ravaged by intense heat and drought, resulting in a significant shortfall as the country wraps up its 2024-25 harvest. "It all comes down to the weather," Kona Haque, head of research at ED&F Man, told Bloomberg. Haque pointed to the challenging conditions in growing regions and the looming drought expected in the weeks ahead.

Concerns are mounting as South America braces for a severe drought, which threatens to impact next year's yield as well. "Rainfall in Arabica growing areas has consistently fallen below normal levels since the dry season began in April," Carlos Mera, an analyst at Rabobank, explained to Bloomberg. "This issue compounds an already strained situation where the coffee industry is grappling with port congestion in multiple countries, a global container shortage, disruptions in the Red Sea region, and disappointing harvests in Vietnam."

The ripple effects of these supply chain disruptions have already manifested in price hikes. Consumers in the United States, Europe, and Israel have seen coffee prices climb. This increase in coffee prices contributes to overall inflation and joins a series of price hikes across various retail products.

In Israel, the latest economic data reveals a significant spike in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index jumping to 0.9 percent, well above forecasts. This increase is reflected across various sectors of the Israeli economy. Notable price hikes were observed in several categories: Fresh vegetables saw a dramatic surge of 13.2%, transportation costs increased by 2.8%, and housing expenses rose by 0.6%.

The post Grounds for concern: Global coffee crunch hikes prices appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Contrary to circulating rumors, the esteemed linguist and political analyst Noam Chomsky is very much alive. This clarification comes directly from Chomsky's wife, Valeria Wasserman Chomsky, who categorically refuted reports of her husband's demise when contacted by The Associated Press (AP) news agency. "No, it is false," she stated.

Last week, the AP reported that the 95-year-old Chomsky was undergoing treatment in Brazil, where he has been recovering from a stroke suffered a year earlier. However, the Beneficencia Portuguesa hospital in Sao Paulo has now confirmed that Chomsky was discharged on Tuesday to continue his convalescence at home.

The unfounded rumors of Chomsky's passing gained significant traction on Tuesday, with his name becoming a trending topic on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Several publications, including Jacobin and The New Statesman, had initially published obituaries honoring Chomsky's life and legacy. While Jacobin later amended its headline to "Let's Celebrate Noam Chomsky," The New Statesman ultimately removed the piece by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis from their website. Brazilian news outlet Diario do Centro do Mundo also retracted its report on Chomsky's alleged death and issued a correction.

The post Alive and well – Noam Chomsky's wife refutes false report of his death appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Renowned soccer legend Rivaldo sits at home in Brazil, just over eight years after hanging up his boots, but when you speak to him about the game in which he excelled, the glint returns to his eye. The word "moving" crops up time and again during the conversation, especially when he is reminded that he is about to don the kit of Barcelona once again, something that will occur in two exhibition matches due to take place in Israel against an all-star team of former Maccabi Tel Aviv legends (Sept. 5 at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv) and Maccabi Haifa legends (Sept. 7 at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa).

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

The 53-year-old Brazilian visited Israel just two years ago in the special "El Clásico" match pitting soccer legends against Real Madrid. This time he will meet the two clubs that make up the Israeli "El Clásico", and as far as he is concerned the emotions are identical. "I am very happy and excited to come to Israel again," he tells us in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, "I am very fond of Israel and I genuinely appreciate the local fans' affection towards me. This is something that I have particularly enjoyed and I am really glad to come back."

Q: How were your previous visits here in Israel? What particularly sticks out in your mind?

"Apart from the game and the excitement at once again wearing the Barcelona shirt, I really enjoyed traveling and sightseeing in Israel, visiting all the historical locations. I find it very emotional and it is a great honor to experience this once again."

Q: This time you have come to play against Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv legends. Last time you played in your own personal El Clásico, this time it is these two clubs that will make up the Israeli El Clásico. Have you heard about this local version?

 "Actually, yes, I have heard of it. It is a very big game, and I am delighted to play wearing the Barcelona strip, as I am a former Barcelona star, against legends who played for these two clubs. It will be a real pleasure to play against them."

Video: İlkay Gündoğan in Barcelona / Credit: Reuters

Q: A number of other former soccer greats will be coming with you to Israel. Who do you especially miss?

"Javier Saviola. We played so much together and formed a perfect duo. The rest of the players due to arrive are also of a very high level, but what I accomplished with Saviola during my career and later on at the Barcelona legends games, was something extremely special."

Q: Does soccer still do it for you?

"Sure! I still get excited. As soon as I step out onto the turf with the Barcelona jersey, I immediately start to imagine all the great games I took part in at the club. That is what mainly moves me, the memories of wearing the outfit of that great club are something that I shall always take with me."

Q: The Barcelona for whom you played and today's team are in a very different position, mainly financially. What do you see as the most significant differences?

"You are talking about completely different eras. When I played, it was a very special time, with Figo and Saviola. Today, Xavi is building the team and the club to try and win the Champions League. The club is buying good players and that is great, but the fans want the Champions League. When I played it was different. I hope that Xavi succeeds in attaining these goals as I wish only the best for the club."

Q: In the meantime, with all the problems he has had to face, Xavi has succeeded in restoring the Spanish championship to Barca. Did you follow this success?

"I was very happy. I knew that Xavi would succeed. He changed the club after an extremely difficult period. He has done it all gradually, as he knows how, and in my opinion, this year Barcelona will be able not only to win the La Liga championship but also to go even further in the EUFA Champions League.

Q: When you played with Xavi did you ever imagine that he would end up where he is today?

"No, I did not anticipate this or even think of it back then. This is true of both Xavi and Pep Guardiola, as I did not think that either of them would gain such great achievements as managers. As players they both demonstrated the ability to talk and communicate, so the potential was there, but I never imagined just what heights they would be able to reach."

On the question of who is the greatest soccer star of the current generation, Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Rivaldo needs no time to think of his answer, "Messi, of course", he responds immediately. Hearing such a clear-cut answer from a player who was a virtuoso in his own right, is not something to be taken for granted. It is interesting that on this of all questions, the Brazilian did not attempt to provide a diplomatic answer, and he went with his inner truth.

The next big thing

Rivaldo was a Barcelona star between 1997 and 2002, during which time he won two La Liga titles and two cups. This might be the reason why he is able to appreciate the list of titles won by the inimitable "La Pulga" ("The Flea" – Messi's nickname) with the "Blaugrana" over the years. "That's how things work in soccer," he explains, "Barcelona is a club where Romario, Ronaldinho, Messi, and other unforgettable stars have played. They all eventually left or retired, but the club still remains. A club with such an infrastructure is capable of signing dozens of players."

"But it is difficult to attain the level that Messi has. He arrived at the age of 12 and left an eternal impression on the club, not only because of his long period of service there but mainly due to the large number of titles he won. It will clearly take many years until a new Messi emerges to take his place. The club will probably not waste time in recruiting another player, but it will be extremely difficult to find a player like Messi."

Q: Who is the best player you played with?

"Ronaldo Fenômeno ("The Phenomenon"), the Brazilian."

Q: Neymar is at the end of his career. Who is the next Brazilian star that you can point to?

"Vinícius Júnior. If he continues to play as he is doing now, he will be able to lift many cups in the future, both with Real Madrid and also with the Seleção (the Brazilian national team). He is the one that I have singled out as having the capacity to push Brazilian soccer forward, but he will have to work very hard."

Q: Soccer in Brazil is much more than a game. Tell us something about you as a boy, your dreams, where everything began, and where you gained your passion for the game.

"Soccer is everything in Brazil. It is a really important part of life. Every father in Brazil wants sons so that they might grow up to be soccer stars. My father wanted three boys – and he had three boys. I stood out more than my brothers, and at the age of 13, he was the one to see the potential. We went through hard times, but I wanted to fulfill my father's dream. That was the real goal."

Q: What moment was the pinnacle of your career?

"Winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002."

Q: And what was the most difficult moment?

"When I began at the age of 16, I came from a very tough background, rife with severe poverty, but I fought it all in order to succeed. I remember all that very well."

Q: Who is the defender you most dreaded playing against?

"The great Paolo Maldini, there were a number of others, but I have never met a defender who comes too close to Maldini."

Q: Have you heard of Yaniv Katan or Avi Nimni?

"I have heard a lot about Yaniv Katan, he played not only in Israel but overseas too. Yes, I have definitely heard of him."

 Q: In conclusion, what is the message you would like to convey to Israeli soccer supporters?

"It is a great honor for me to come to Israel and to play with the Barcelona Legends. I am absolutely delighted and really looking forward to it. We shall meet in Haifa and in Tel Aviv."

Both matches are being arranged by MTR, a company headed by Mauro Rosenshine. The company has been responsible for the production of a number of events both in Israel and abroad, such as the "Peace Game between the Israel National Team Stars and the Brazil Legends Team", as well as the exhibition game between Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends, held at Bloomfield Stadium. Tickets for the games may be purchased on the GET-IN website, from NIS 89 per ticket.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post 'I am very fond of Israel; I genuinely appreciate the local fans' affection' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

News outlets worldwide reported Sunday on Israel's stunning victory at the Under-20 World Cup in San Juan on Saturday, in which it downed Brazil 3-2 and advanced to the semi-finals.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Colombia's Comutricolor called the game "o jogo bonito," or "beautiful game," a phrase popularized by Brazilian footballer Pelé.

Taiwan News chose the headline "Israel shocks Brazil," and even in Muslim country Indonesia, news outlets reported on the victory, saying that Israel as the first to reach the semi-finals.

The tense encounter featured extra-time goals and two penalty shots wasted by Israel, which will face Uruguay or the United States in the semifinals.

Italy also reached the last four in the tournament in Argentina with a 3-1 win against Colombia. Its next rival will be the winner of the match between Nigeria and South Korea on Sunday.

HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE YET AGAIN!

ISRAEL UPSETS BRAZIL AND IS THROUGH TO THE FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL pic.twitter.com/7BA6AbWSK5

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2023

After a scoreless first half, Marcos Leonardo netted first for Brazil and Israel equalized with a header by Anan Khalaili four minutes later. Matheus Nascimento made it 2-1 for Brazil in the first minute of extra time, but Hamza Shibi scored Israel's second two minutes later from close range.

Dor David Turgeman scored the winner in injury time of the first half of extra time after dribbling past two Brazilian defenders in the penalty box.

"What an amazing goal," said Israel's Tay Abed. "It was a Brazilian-style goal. That's what Dor Turgeman can do. He's a fantastic player. He's been one of the best players in this tournament."

Israel squandered two penalty kicks in the second half of extra time, which drew out the drama to fulltime.

"Israel was better than Brazil, we didn't play our best match," said midfielder Marlon Gomes, who played extra time while injured because Brazil couldn't make substitutions. "We couldn't hold our lead in two different opportunities. We could have done better."

Hours later, Italy did not suffer as much to overcome Colombia. Cesare Casadei, one of the top players of the tournament, scored with a header in the 9th minute. Tommaso Baldanzi added a second from close range in the 38th minute. Francesco Esposito made it 3-0 in the 46th minute.

Colombia reduced its deficit with a Jhojan Torres goal in the 49th minute from the edge of the box.

Italy booked its third consecutive U-20 World Cup semifinal spot.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Muslim world awed after Israel's stunning U-20 soccer upset appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) is facing fresh backlash from his country's Jewish community after claiming the United Nations (UN) founded the state of Israel. During a speech in Spain, Lula stated that the UN created the State of Israel in 1948, but did not say the same in relation to the Palestinians. "The UN was so strong that, in 1948, it managed to create the State of Israel. In 2023, it fails to create a Palestinian state," Lula said.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

"As for a State for Palestinians, neither the UN nor other international organizations currently have the role of creating it, unless Palestinians and Israelis themselves come to seal the peace independently," the statement added. Lula's statement is not the first he has come at odds with the Jewish state. In March, Israel criticized Brazil's decision to allow two Iranian warships to dock at its port in Rio de Janeiro.

A year later, Lula became the first Brazilian head of state to visit Israel since Emperor Pedro II visited the Holy Land in 1876. He had, however, refused to go to the tomb of Theodor Herzl, which was part of the itinerary planned for foreign officials visiting for the 150th anniversary of the father of Zionism. A few days later, he laid a wreath at Yasser Arafat's grave in Ramallah. Finally, in the last month of his previous term, his government officially recognized a Palestinian state.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Brazil's Lula facing backlash after claiming Israel 'created by UN' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The arrival this week to Rio de Janeiro of two Iranian warships that Brazil's government authorized to dock has prompted rebukes both from Israel and the US.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

"Israel sees the docking of Iranian warships in Brazil a few days ago, as a dangerous and regretful development," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat wrote Thursday on Twitter. "Brazil should not grant any prize to a malign state."

Haiat's comments followed others the day before by US State Department spokesperson Ned Price. In response to a reporter's question about the ships reaching Brazil, Price said that Washington is discussing the issue with Brazilian partners and that it wants to ensure Iran "is not able to acquire a foothold, is not able to take advantage of others in our hemisphere."

"It is certainly not the case that the Brazilian government, the Brazilian people would want to do anything that would assist, that would aid a government, a regime that is responsible for a brutal crackdown and violent repression against its own people," he added.

On Thursday, one of the two ships was spotted offshore Rio's world-famous south zone of beaches, while the other was docked downtown. The IRIS Makran and IRIS Dena ships are authorized to stay in Rio until March 4.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control last month designated both ships for sanctions.

Brazil's foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to the Associated Press' request for comment on the statements from the Israeli and American officials.

The trip by the Iranian navy comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the West over the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and as the Islamic Republic enriches uranium to its closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Iranian officials have portrayed the trip as challenging America's influence in its own backyard – long a point of contention as Tehran continually criticizes the presence of the US Navy's 5th Fleet in the region, which patrols the Persian Gulf and its narrow mouth, the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iranian navy commander Rear Adm. Shahram Irani in January as saying that "the Islamic Republic is not present in two strategic straits on the planet, but in the current year, the Iranians plan to have a presence in one of them, which is the Panama Canal." State media has described the trip as challenging American "hegemony."

Iran also faces nationwide protests and anger after the September death of Masha Amini, a woman who died after being detained by the country's morality police. In the time since those demonstrations, Tehran has tried to flex its military elsewhere as well. Tehran has supplied drones to Russia that killed Ukrainian civilians, run drills in a border region with Azerbaijan, and bombed Kurdish positions in Iraq.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made international diplomacy a feature of his second presidential term, which ended in 2010. That included attempting to broker a nuclear deal between the US and Iran during his second presidential term that same year, though talks ran aground.

Elected in October to return to the presidency, Lula quickly traveled to Washington last month as a means to demonstrate his alignment with President Joe Biden. Biden's special climate envoy John Kerry was also in Brazil's capital this week to discuss collaboration to protect the Amazon rainforest.

In a statement on Tuesday, US Sen. Ted Cruz noted that the US has already sanctioned the two Iranian warships, and Rio de Janeiro's port and any Brazilian service providers are now at risk of sanctions.

"The Biden administration is obligated to impose relevant sanctions, reevaluate Brazil's cooperation with US antiterrorism efforts, and reexamine whether Brazil is maintaining effective antiterrorism measures at its ports," Cruz wrote.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Israel criticizes Brazil, asks to undock Iranian warships appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.