Fepal: there is no longer any doubt that Zionism is an ideology analogous to Nazism.

247 - The Arab Palestinian Federation of Brazil (Fepal) harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his statements defending billionaire Elon Musk, who was accused of making a recognizably Nazi gesture during an event in the United States. Fepal's post pointed out that the episode highlights the ideological proximity of Zionism to Nazism, using Netanyahu's words as an example.

The gesture in question, performed by Musk during an event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., quickly went viral on social media. By striking his chest and extending his arm at an upward angle with his palm facing down, Musk reproduced the famous "Sieg Heil," a salute associated with Adolf Hitler's regime. Despite the negative reaction, Musk did not back down, denying the Nazi connotation of the gesture and attacking critics with controversial statements.

Netanyahu defended Musk, reinforcing his relationship with the billionaire and highlighting Musk's support for the Israeli government after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. In his statement, Netanyahu asserted that Musk "is being falsely defamed" and described him as "a great friend of Israel." He recalled the businessman's visit to Israel after the Hamas attack and praised his support for Israel's right to self-defense.

Symbolic and historical connection - The international press and left-wing activists reacted strongly to the episode, contextualizing Musk's gesture within a growing normalization of Nazi symbolism in public spaces. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz The article described the act as a "Roman salute," historically associated with fascism and Nazism. It highlighted that the context of the gesture, performed in support of Donald Trump's inauguration—a president frequently accused of flirting with authoritarianism—leaves no room for ambiguous interpretations.

According to Fepal, "if anyone still needed more reasons to conclude that Zionism is an ideology analogous to Nazism, let's face it, Netanyahu has a strong argument."

International protests - The repercussions of the case went beyond words. In Germany, activists projected an image of Musk's gesture onto a Tesla factory, accompanied by the words "Heil Tesla." The groups responsible for the protest, Led By Donkeys and the Center for Political Beauty, reinforced their criticism of the billionaire and drew attention to the dangers of the amplification of Nazi symbols by influential figures.

This episode, coupled with Musk's explicit support for the Netanyahu government, reignites debates about the connections between authoritarian symbolism and contemporary regimes of oppression. For FEPAL and other Palestinian organizations, Musk's defense is yet another element reinforcing accusations that the Israeli government is engaging in genocidal practices against the Palestinian people.