Israeli Foreign Minister and Opposition Leader Clash Over Brazil, Serbia Election Results

An online dispute erupted Monday on X between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Opposition Leader Yaïr Lapid concerning recent election outcomes in Brazil and Serbia. Lapid celebrated the electoral defeats of two figures he identified as allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Two more Netanyahu allies lost tonight thanks to high turnout and a proud people who refused to accept outside dictates," Lapid posted. Sa'ar responded sharply to Lapid's remarks, stating that Lapid, "who knows nothing," viewed Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, "two great friends of Israel," merely as "associates of Netanyahu." The Israeli Foreign Minister further highlighted the positions of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Sa'ar shared an image attributed to the Palestinian Federation of Brazil (FEPAL), depicting Lula surrounded by individuals in keffiyehs, with Brazilian and Palestinian flags in the background. The image included a Portuguese message translated by Sa'ar as: "Congratulations to President Lula. Democracy and love have defeated hate and the Israelization of Brazil." Sa'ar criticized Lapid for aligning himself with celebrations that were also reportedly embraced by a Palestinian organization, implying Lapid's stance was misguided.