Israel has barred Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from visiting the country after he compared Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to the Holocaust. The Brazilian ambassador to Israel has been recalled in response to Israel’s decision, and Israel has indicated that Lula is not welcome in the country until he takes back his comments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Lula’s comments as “disgraceful and grave” and Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz denounced them as a “serious anti-Semitic attack.” In response to the diplomatic rift, Brazil has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Brazil and recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv for consultations. Lula has also faced backlash in Brazil over his statements, with the Brazil-Israel Institute calling his comments “vulgar” and warning they could fuel anti-Semitism. Newly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, Lula had previously condemned Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel as “terrorist” acts.