When a Democracy Walks Away from Holocaust Memory: The Meaning of Brazil’s IHRA Withdrawal
What does it say when a government walks away from the world’s foremost alliance dedicated to preserving Holocaust memory? What signal is sent when a democracy distances itself from a coalition committed to combating antisemitism, just as such hatred is resurging worldwide?
These questions surround Brazil’s decision to withdraw from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), a move experts warn carries diplomatic, moral, and historical consequences beyond its stated rationale.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.


In his article ‘Brazil Is Choosing To Leave a Club of Democracies:’ Experts Warn of Broader Consequences Behind Lula’s IHRA Withdrawal, The Media Line’s Gabriel Colodro explores the backlash to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s move, justified on budgetary and legal grounds but widely seen as an ideological pivot away from Western democracies toward partners like China and Russia.
“This is not just a symbolic exit,” said Dr. Ariel Gelblung of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “Brazil is leaving a club of democracies… and aligning itself with regimes like China and Russia.”
Coming as Argentina assumes IHRA’s presidency, Brazil’s exit sends a different message — that even historical truth can be politicized.