Podcast: Avi Gelberg with Israel’s Consul Rafael Erdreich and Paulo Mathias
In the latest episode of Podcast Diálogos, Avi Gelberg welcomed Israel’s Consul General in São Paulo, Rafael Erdreich, for an in-depth conversation on one of the most complex and sensitive issues of our time: the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Joined by Paulo Mathias, the discussion expanded to examine the role of the media, the shaping of public opinion, and the impact of narratives on how the world perceives this confrontation.
The debate covered geopolitical dynamics, global economic interests, the strategic role of the United States, and how this war goes far beyond territorial or religious disputes—touching on energy, international trade, and strategic power.
Erdreich emphasized that over the past five decades, Iran has built a true machine of destruction, aimed not only at Israel but also at expanding Shiism worldwide. At one point, the consul noted that Israel is the only UN member state openly threatened with annihilation by another UN member—Iran. He also recalled that since 1979, a clock in Tehran has been counting down the seconds until Israel’s destruction, a fact rarely discussed internationally.
On the other side, Israel faces accusations of genocide, apartheid, and even of killing children.
Official data underscores the gravity of the situation: in 2021, the U.S. State Department estimated that Iran allocates around $100 million annually to Hamas and other extremist groups, positioning itself as one of the main financiers of the ongoing war against Israel. Furthermore, Iran ranks 10th on the 2026 Open Doors list of countries that most persecute Christians, highlighting the severity of religious repression within its borders.
Podcast in Portuguese:
