Israeli envoy to Brazil mocked over censored picture of non-kosher meal
Yossi Shelley lambasted over edited images of what appears to be lobsters, while having lunch with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro
An edited picture of Israel’s ambassador eating an expensive non-kosher delicacy made headlines in Brazil.
The Israeli embassy blurred with black ink what appears to be lobsters from a picture posted on social media on Sunday of Ambassador Yossi Shelley having lunch with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
While international media blamed the trick on the fact that the seafood is prohibited by Jewish law, Brazilians focused on the fact that lobster is a very expensive delicacy in the Latin American country.
Shelley and Bolsonaro have been close friends for some time. The controversial picture was taken at a seafood restaurant in Brasília before they went to watch the Copa America final match in Rio, where Brazil beat Peru 3-1, winning the championship.
Later, the ambassador posted several photos at the Macarana stadium expressing his personal effusive support for the Brazilian team.
Antes da final da Copa América entre Brasil e Peru, o presidente @jairbolsonaro e o @embaixadoryossi almoçaram juntos em Brasília. Eles irão acompanhar a partida desejando sorte para a seleção brasileira em busca de mais um título. Vai Brasil!! pic.twitter.com/trDHb0ftCh
— Israel no Brasil (@IsraelinBrazil) July 7, 2019
“Difficult to describe the feeling of being present this night of great emotion for the Brazilian people. I already feel heartfelt as part of this beautiful country,” Shelley posted adding both the Israeli and the Brazilian flags united by a heart.
In May, Bolsonaro awarded Shelley the National Order of the Southern Cross, Brazil’s highest national honour for high-ranking guests.
Shelley was the very first diplomat welcomed by Bolsonaro less than 24 hours after his electoral victory last year in a clear sign of intended close ties between Brasilia and Jerusalem after 15 years of political sparks caused by Brazil’s former far-left governments.
Artist who drew antisemitic cartoon invited to White House
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
