The U.S. ambassador to Brazil—who once expressed concern about the “influence of the Jewish lobby” in politics—will not publicly address the series of anti-Semitic remarks made by far-left Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This has raised concerns on Capitol Hill about the stance of the Biden appointee on the growing Jew-hatred worldwide.
Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, whose 2022 nomination faced opposition from Republicans due to her anti-Semitic statements, in which she claimed the “Jewish lobby” wields excessive influence over the Democratic Party because of its financial power, has been avoiding commenting on Lula’s accusations that Israel is acting like the Nazis and committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
The State Department has declined to make Bagley available for an interview with the Washington Free Beacon regarding Lula’s comments and has not issued a stance on them under Bagley’s name. Bagley’s reluctance to address Lula’s anti-Semitic remarks is causing concern ahead of a Thursday hearing on anti-Semitism in Latin America.
One senior congressional source who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon said the ambassador’s “silence is deafening and impossible to ignore” considering her own comments about Jews influencing politics through money.
“There were already concerns with her past anti-Semitic comments in the Senate. Now the Biden administration has embraced anti-Semitic left-wing populists across the Western Hemisphere, and it’s becoming an issue,” said the source, who was not authorized to speak on record. “Despite all of this, Bagley won’t make even the most basic symbolic statements. People are justified in asking what she really believes.”
A State Department spokesman, in response to questions from the Free Beacon, stated that the United States “disagrees with President Lula’s comparison of Gaza to the Holocaust.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue in a February meeting with the Brazilian president, which drew scrutiny for being held just after Lula accused Israel of genocide.
“While in Brazil, Secretary Blinken, alongside Ambassador Bagley, directly conveyed to President Lula that the United States disagreed with his comparison,” the spokesman said. “Separately, Ambassador Bagley and her staff at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates have met numerous times with leaders of the Brazilian Jewish community, including this week.”
When asked again if Bagley had her own response to Lula’s comments, the State Department declined to provide further information.
Bagley’s silence is being scrutinized in light of a 1998 interview in which she criticized “the influence of the Jewish lobby because there is major money involved.”
Bagley further stated, “The Democrats always tend to go with the Jewish constituency on Israel and say stupid things, like moving the capital to Jerusalem always comes up.” She attributed political support for these issues to ”the Jewish factor, it’s money.”
These comments nearly derailed her Senate confirmation process, with concerns raised by both Democrats and Republicans about her perceived anti-Semitism.
“I regret that you would think that it was a problem,” Bagley told Sen. Ben Cardin (D., Md.) when he raised the comments during a hearing. “I certainly didn’t mean anything by it. It was a poor choice of words, but it was something that the interviewer had asked me, prompted by something about politics.”
As the ambassador to Brazil, Bagley is responsible for countering the surge in anti-Semitism following Hamas’s attack on Israel. Lula and other far-left leaders in the Western Hemisphere have distanced themselves from close relations with the United States in favor of alliances with malign regimes such as Iran, Russia, and China.
The Thursday hearing on the House Foreign Affairs Committee will address the rise of Jew-hatred and will feature remarks from the U.S. envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.
How does Secretary Blinken emphasize the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue on anti-Semitism and human rights issues?
Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue on human rights issues, including anti-Semitism,” the spokesman said. “The United States remains committed to combating all forms of anti-Semitism and promoting tolerance and respect for all religious and ethnic groups.”
However, critics argue that the Biden administration’s silence on Ambassador Bagley’s refusal to address Lula’s anti-Semitic remarks demonstrates a lack of commitment to combating anti-Semitism globally.
The rise of anti-Semitism is a growing concern worldwide, with incidents increasing in recent years. Anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions contribute to a climate of hate and discrimination, endangering Jewish communities and undermining the principles of equality and tolerance.
Ambassador Bagley’s previous comments, in which she perpetuated stereotypes about Jewish influence through financial power, are deeply troubling. Such statements contribute to the spread of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and fuel hate against Jewish individuals.
It is essential for public officials, especially those in positions of diplomatic responsibility, to condemn and address anti-Semitic remarks swiftly and unequivocally. Failing to do so sends a message that such rhetoric is acceptable or tolerable, further normalizing hatred and discrimination.
The Biden administration must make it clear that anti-Semitism is not tolerated, regardless of the political affiliations or positions of those involved. This includes ensuring that Ambassador Bagley publicly denounces Lula’s anti-Semitic remarks and reaffirms the United States’ commitment to combating anti-Semitism globally.
Furthermore, the Biden administration should prioritize efforts to combat anti-Semitism on a global scale, working in collaboration with international partners to promote education, interfaith dialogue, and legislation aimed at countering hatred and discrimination.
Addressing anti-Semitism requires a multifaceted approach that involves combating stereotypes, encouraging diversity and inclusion, and fostering mutual understanding and respect. The Biden administration has an opportunity to lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to fighting discrimination in all its forms.
By taking a strong stance against anti-Semitism and ensuring that public officials uphold these values, the United States can contribute to a world where religious and ethnic groups can coexist peacefully and where hatred and discrimination find no place.
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