Cris Monteiro Honors Reserve Major Rafael Rozenszajn at City Council Ceremony
Last Tuesday (6), the São Paulo City Council held a solemn ceremony in memory of the victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks, when the Palestinian group Hamas invaded Israel, resulting in more than a thousand deaths and hundreds of kidnappings.
The event was organized by Councilwoman Cris Monteiro, accompanied by her chief of staff, Gerson Pires, and brought together leaders of the Jewish community as well as religious authorities.
During the ceremony, Monteiro paid tribute to Reserve Major Rafael Rozenszajn, born in Rio de Janeiro and living in Israel for nearly two decades. Rozenszajn became the first Portuguese-speaking spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a role that gained national relevance after the October attacks, as he addressed Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking audiences amid widespread misinformation and competing narratives.
Among those present were Célia Parnes, president of the Jewish Federation; Ricardo Berkiensztat, the federation’s executive president; André Lajst, executive director of StandWithUs Brazil; Marcia Kelner Polisuk, founder of Fatos sem Fronteiras and director of Hillel Latin America; and Rabbi Guershi Goldsztajn of Beit Chabad, among others.
Cris Monteiro on the Tribute to Major Rafael Rozenszajn
In her speech, Councilwoman Cris Monteiro highlighted the human dimension of Major Rozenszajn’s journey. She noted that beyond his military and institutional duties, Rozenszajn took on one of the most difficult missions: informing families of the deaths of loved ones after the October 7 attacks.
Imagine the weight of that responsibility. No training can make it simple. It requires preparation, balance, and above all, humanity, Monteiro said.
She emphasized that her tribute was not only to the soldier, lawyer, spokesperson, or writer, but to the man who carried out these roles with dedication and courage. Monteiro also expressed gratitude for the bridge Rozenszajn built between Israel and Brazil, especially São Paulo, home to one of the country’s most significant Jewish communities.
Protest Interrupts Ceremony
During Major Rozenszajn’s speech, five pro-Palestinian demonstrators infiltrated the event, standing up to shout slogans and attempting to raise Palestinian flags. The action caused tension and panic among attendees, which included members of the Jewish community as well as Catholics and Evangelicals. Swift intervention by police and security contained the protest, which was widely reported in the national press.
Cris Monteiro on Antisemitism
In her remarks, Monteiro stressed the importance of preserving the memory of the victims and combating antisemitism. She recalled instituting in the city’s official calendar the Municipal Day in Honor of the Victims, named after Kfir Bibas, a four-month-old baby murdered along with his family.
Monteiro highlighted initiatives from her term aimed at confronting Holocaust denial, establishing official dates to combat antisemitism, and opposing public demonstrations that relativize Nazism.
Defending the Jewish community is not only about defending Jews; it is about defending humanity, freedom, and democracy, she affirmed.
Monteiro concluded by reaffirming that the fight against antisemitism will remain a hallmark of her political work.
