For Brazilian writer Frei Betto, the 21st century has a 'before and after' Gaza

• Liberation theologian and writer Frei Betto defines the current situation in Gaza as a defining divide of the 21st century, comparing it to the historical impact of Auschwitz.
• Betto offers firm perspectives on Brazilian politics, the intersection of religion and state, and the lasting consequences of Brazil's failure to address its military dictatorship past.

The Crisis in Gaza

• Betto characterizes Israel's military actions and food deprivation in Gaza as genocide, criticizing Western powers for preaching human rights while remaining silent on the suffering of Palestinians.
• He describes Gaza as an "open-sky concentration camp" and argues that the conflict constitutes a crime against humanity that demands condemnation from the International Court of Justice.
• He suggests that the fastest path to ending the war would be for the U.S. to withdraw support for Israel, though he considers this unlikely under the current Trump administration.

Brazilian Politics and Society

• Betto argues that Brazil’s failure to prosecute human rights abusers from the 1964–1985 military dictatorship—unlike neighbors such as Argentina or Chile—contributed directly to the rise of the far-right and the 2023 coup attempt.
• He maintains that current energetic action by the Supreme Court is successfully weakening "bolsonarismo" and its public support.
• Regarding religion and politics, he advocates for maintaining secular state institutions while acknowledging that both dimensions are complementary in personal life.
• He identifies urgent priorities for Brazil in 2025: demarcating Indigenous and quilombola lands, pursuing agrarian reform, and electing a progressive majority to Congress in 2026.