RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) – Jewish groups have filed a criminal complaint against the leader of a major Brazilian party for posting the anti-Semitic blood libel trope in a social media post.
“Baal, Satanic theology, Canaanites and judging sacrificed children received their sympathy. Today, history repeats itself, ”Roberto Jefferson posted on Instagram on Friday.
Jefferson, a strong Christian politician, has led the Labor Party, or PTB, as it is known in Brazil, since 2003. Once a left-wing Labor party, PTB now strongly supports right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro. It holds 12 out of 513 seats in Brazil’s lowest parliament chamber.
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The Brazilian Israeli Federation described Jefferson ‘s role as “one of the weakest” to attack enemies.
“This represents a racist crime with greater penalties for being committed through a social network,” the Alliance wrote in a statement on Saturday. “Screenshots and fan comments, which could be identified as a crime, were reserved for criminal investigation.”
Instagram has removed Jefferson’s post. On Twitter, he called the Jewish group’s note “clowning.”
“There are some assholes that make a point to generate tension. The leadership of the alliance demands sentiment. Morons, ”Jefferson said.
The Curitiba Holocaust Museum provided several educational tweets to the issue.
“Medieval assault brought charges against medieval assault. Known as a blood libel, it is one of the most terrifying expressions of hardship and blind faith in the entire history of mankind. The myth was used as an incentive to kill thousands of criminals, ”the museum hit on Saturday.
In 1993, Jefferson was cited in a conference report that investigated bribery. In 2005, he was involved in a corruption scandal and was barred from being elected to any public office until 2015.