Israel's Relations With Brazil Damaged by Lula's Criticism

A deal signed by the Brazilian Army five months ago to buy mobile artillery systems worth $210 million from Israel company Elbit Systems is "frozen" but has not yet been cancelled, due to criticism of Israel by Brazilian President Inazio “Lula” da Silva. “President da Silva has signed no executive order, neither to cancel the procurement of ATMOS 2000 nor for reopening the tender to select and negotiate another solution”, one source in Brazil's defense establishment told Defense News.

The sources added that despute Lula's objections, both the Minister of Defense, Mr. José Múcio Monteiro, as well as the Army chief, Gen. Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, are trying to move forward with the deal, as the artillery systems are badly needed by the army.

In addition, Elbit had already signed supply contracts with Brazilian companies for industrial offsets and local production of some components. With the deal "frozen" these local Brazilian companies are exposed for large financial losses.

The Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery system has also been ordered by the army of Brazil's neighbor Columbia, and despite criticism by the government of Columbia for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, this order is proceeding.