The Brazilian far right is pushing to oust a Councilwoman over her support for Palestine

In the Brazilian city of Curitiba, tensions have escalated as far-right factions seek to oust elected Councilwoman Angela Alves Machado, the first-ever councillor elected by the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) in the city. A prominent figure, Machado has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, and her vocal defence of Palestine has triggered a significant backlash from right-wing politicians.

This controversy reached a peak during the inauguration ceremony for elected councillors, when Machado took the podium holding the Palestinian flag, using the moment to denounce the genocide of the Palestinian people and call for an immediate ceasefire. As the first PSOL councillor in Curitiba’s history, her actions have not only sparked local political conflict, but also emphasised her commitment to an internationalist mandate, defending the rights of oppressed peoples around the world.

“They will not intimidate me, nor have they managed to silence the voices in defence of the Palestinian people who have suffered for almost 80 years under the voracious military and expansionist offensive of Israel and the Israeli settlers in their territory,” the councillor told me.

“The objective reason is that the extreme right of our time carries the seed of fascism. Therefore, they support regimes and governments, such as [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s, that translate into reactionary and neo-colonialist policies, which, strictly speaking, are aimed at serving — on the basis of brutality — a fraction of capitalists to the detriment of peoples (such as the Palestinians) and the majority of the people of their own country.”

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Angela Alves Machado is a history professor and a member of the Workers’ Party (PT), and has long been known for her progressive stance on various issues. Throughout her career, she has advocated for social justice, equality and human rights.

However, it is her vocal support for the Palestinian cause that has placed her in the crosshairs of conservative critics.

Her position in favour of Palestine, particularly in relation to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian genocide, has led to her being labelled, predictably, as a “supporter of terrorism” by far-right groups in Brazil. She has argued that the Palestinian people have been subjected to decades of oppression and that their right to self-determination must be acknowledged by the international community.

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The call to revoke her mandate is based on allegations that Machado’s pro-Palestinian views are inconsistent with the values held by the city council. Far-right groups claim that her support for Palestine undermines Brazil’s diplomatic ties with Israel and that her stance goes against the interests of national security. Some of her critics have gone as far as accusing her of endorsing violent extremism, a charge that she denies vehemently.

In response to these attacks, Machado has defended her position, stating that her support for Palestine is rooted in human rights and justice, not violence. “I am fighting for the rights of a people who have been denied basic freedoms for decades,” she said recently. “My mandate is about standing up for those who are oppressed, regardless of where they come from.”

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The controversy surrounding the councillor reveals the deepening divide in Brazilian politics. While right-wing factions push for a relationship more aligned with Israel, left-wing groups, like the Workers’ Party, have historically been more supportive of Palestinian rights. This ideological battle is playing out in Brazil’s local politics.

The far-right’s efforts to target Machado stem from a combination of ideological and geopolitical factors. Brazil’s far-right factions have traditionally viewed Israel as a key strategic ally in the Middle East. This relationship was strengthened under the leadership of Jair Bolsonaro, who expressed unwavering support for Netanyahu and criticised Palestinian advocacy groups.

Any criticism of Israel is often framed as unpatriotic or even dangerous to national security.

“I am aware that the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people is the greatest contemporary example of internationalist struggle, Machado told me. “Therefore, all external support is essential. In this sense, I view President Lula’s position of denouncing the genocide in Gaza by Israel as positive. However, politics cannot be done halfway. I believe that a demonstration consistent with this stance would be to break off diplomatic relations with the Netanyahu government until a definitive ceasefire is reached.”

She added that, “In any case, we will be wherever necessary — in parliament and, above all, on the streets — defending the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to have sovereignly in their territory.”

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The move to revoke Angela Alves Machado’s mandate raises significant legal and political questions. Brazil’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and political mandates cannot be revoked without due process. The far-right’s push to remove her appears to be more politically motivated than legally justified, as no law has been broken by her advocacy for Palestine.

Legal experts have warned that attempting to remove an elected official based on their political beliefs could set a dangerous precedent for Brazil’s democratic institutions. The case may also have broader implications for political discourse in the country, particularly when it comes to the right of politicians to express their views on international issues.

As the debate over Professor Machado’s future continues to unfold, it is clear that this is not just a local issue in Curitiba, but is also a reflection of a larger global struggle. For her, standing up for the rights of Palestinians is not just a political statement; it is an extension of her lifelong commitment to justice and human rights.

“I will fight with my head held high on all possible fronts. To this end, I have the support of the PSOL, which faces this type of persecution from the far right, as was the case with Luciana Genro and Fernanda Melchionna. But not only that, I also count on the solidarity of FEPAL [the Brazilian Palestinian Arab Federation] and all sectors of the left and social movements that condemn the genocide in Gaza,” she concluded.

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