Deputy makes accusation of racism against Genoino for defending boycott of 'Jewish companies'

State deputy Guto Zacarias (União-SP) presented a criminal report to the Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP) against former federal deputy José Genoíno (PT-SP), who defended a boycott against “Jewish companies” during a live broadcast. The parliamentarian stated in the document that Genoino committed a crime of racism. Wanted by Estadãoto talk about the statement, Genoino declined to comment.

“The boycott advocated by Genoino violates the freedom of belief provided for in the UN Convention against all forms of discrimination; Furthermore, it deprives someone (Jewish businesspeople) of rights for reasons of religious belief, violating the Federal Constitution”, argued Zacarias.

Crime news is a warning, which can be given by any citizen, informing the authorities that a crime is being committed. The authority that receives the crime news, police or Public Prosecutor's Office, for example, can determine the investigation of the facts narrated.

Guto Zacarias asks the Federal Public Ministry to “initiate criminal prosecution to the detriment of José Genoino”. “If the MPF understands that there are no elements to initiate criminal action, a police investigation should be opened”, requested the deputy.

In the parliamentarian's assessment, Genoino committed the crime provided for in article 20 of the Anti-Racism Law. In other words, “practicing, inducing or inciting discrimination or prejudice based on race, color, ethnicity, religion or national origin”.

“The STF (Supreme Federal Court) understands, since the famous Ellwanger case (a writer from Rio Grande do Sul accused of anti-Semitism), that Jews are considered a race and, therefore, protected by the Anti-Racism Law”, said Zacarias.

What José Genoino said on the broadcast

The former federal deputy said in a live broadcast this Saturday, the 20th, that he finds “the idea of ​​boycotting” “certain Jewish companies” and “companies linked to the state of Israel” interesting. The parliamentarian was commenting on stopping shopping at Magazine Luiza because of businesswoman Luiza Trajano's support for a petition that asked President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to give up supporting a South African action against Israel for genocide.

Genoino spoke live on the channel DCM TV, on Youtube. One commentator said he was disappointed with Luiza Trajano. The businesswoman supported a petition that asked Lula to reconsider supporting South Africa in the accusation of genocide against Israel. More than 17,000 people signed the manifesto, which calls the South African accusation unfounded and calls for a “fair and balanced” approach from the Brazilian government.

Then, another live participant, Prof. Viaro, says that there are comments on social media from people who would stop buying from Magazine Luiza. Genoino then comments that he finds the idea of ​​boycotting certain companies “interesting”.

Genoino's speech can be seen in the live shared on the profile of the DCM Online on X, formerly Twitter. The video is more than three hours long, but the section in which the PT member talks about boycotting “Jewish companies” starts at 1 hour, 34 minutes and 40 seconds.

“I find this idea of ​​rejection interesting, this idea of ​​boycotting for political reasons that harm economic interests, it’s an interesting way. There is even this boycott in relation to certain Jewish companies,” he said, and then added: “There is, for example, a boycott of companies linked to the State of Israel. In fact, I think that Brazil should cut commercial relations, in the area of ​​security and in the military area, with the State of Israel.” Wanted by Estadãohe did not want to speak out.

José Genoino is a professor, he was president of the PT during the Mensalão scandal (2003-2005) and also one of those convicted and arrested in the process. He is the brother of federal deputy José Guimarães (PT-CE), current leader of the Lula Government in the Chamber.

Entities repudiate Genoino’s statements

The Brazilian Israeli Confederation (Conib) “vehemently” repudiated the former deputy’s statement, which it referred to as “an anti-Semitic speech”. “Anti-Semitism is a crime in Brazil. The boycott of Jews was one of the first measures adopted by the Nazi regime against the German Jewish community, which culminated in the Holocaust,” stated the Israeli Confederation.

“Conib once again calls on Brazilian political leaders to act with moderation and balance in the face of the tragic conflict in the Middle East, as their extreme statements, which are at odds with the tradition of Brazilian foreign policy, could import the tensions in that region into our country.”

The Israeli Federation of the State of São Paulo (Fisesp) also reacted to Genoino's statement. According to the entity, this is a “criminal” speech that “relates to the philosophy of Adolf Hitler”. “The Jewish boycott was the first coordinated action of the Nazi regime against Jews in Germany,” he pointed out.

“Constantly, important figures from the Workers' Party and those who exercise influence in the federal government use the same speeches that flirt with Nazism and fascism and that were condemned by the PT itself not long ago.”

The entity highlighted that there are around 450 companies in commercial relations between Brazil and Israel, “with long-term contracts, working, collaborating and actively investing in the Technology and Innovation sector, fundamental for the development of Brazil”. “By highlighting the Jewish origin of companies and calling for their boycott, Genoino reveals his cowardice and anti-Semitic bias,” stated the federation.

“What concerns us even more is the silence of the leaders of the party that welcomes him. Leaders who claim to be defenders of democracy cannot agree with this attack, which seeks to target people just because they are Jews. Anti-Semitism deserves total condemnation. We hope, once again, for the retraction and especially the repudiation of good people who defend the values ​​of peace and democracy.”

Also in a statement, the Brazil – Israel Chamber (Bril-Chamber) stated that Genoino's statement is anti-Semitic and “must be repudiated by everyone”. According to the Chamber, the speech “is also contrary to the interests of Brazil and the Brazilian population”.

“These are two democratic, independent countries, with reciprocal commercial benefits. Bilateral trade between Brazil and Israel has grown exponentially in recent years, with clear benefits for both countries, with this relationship tripling the trade balance in the last 3 years”, pointed out the entity.

“Israeli products and companies play a fundamental role in various areas of the Brazilian economy, such as health, agriculture, irrigation, technology, security, positively linking the respective Brazilian and Israeli companies. Advocating for the interruption of this commercial chain is defending Brazil's technological and commercial backwardness in essential activities of our economy and is also against the well-being of our population.”