Brazil Bill to Define Antisemitism Faces Left-Wing Obstruction and Signature Withdrawals

Overview

• Authored by deputy Tabata Amaral, the bill would add an IHRA-style definition of antisemitism to guide education and public policy, and antisemitism remains punishable as racism under Supreme Court case law.
• The proposal lost center-left support after heavy online backlash, with nine deputies formally asking to remove their signatures and left-wing parties vowing to obstruct its progress.
• Right-wing lawmakers now anchor support for the text, including PL deputy and former minister Eduardo Pazuello, as the author reports being targeted in online attacks.
• The draft states that criticism of Israel comparable to criticism of any other country is not antisemitic, yet it also treats attacks on Israel as a stand-in for Jews as a possible form of antisemitism.
• Supporters cite rising reports and recent cases, such as a Rio bar fined for a sign excluding Israelis, while academics and left-wing critics say the IHRA wording is vague and risks chilling speech.