Presidential Candidate Renan Santos Meets Jewish Leaders on Key Issues

Antisemitism, Brazil–Israel relations, and the security of Jewish institutions were among the main topics discussed at the meeting.

On Monday, August 10, Renan Santos, the presidential candidate from the Mission Party, attended a meeting with leaders and young members of the Jewish community. The event was organized by the Jewish Federation of the State of São Paulo (Fisesp) and the Brazilian Jewish Confederation (Conib) at the Federation’s headquarters in São Paulo. Federal Deputy Kim Kataguiri, who maintains close dialogue with the Jewish community, was also present.

In her opening remarks, Fisesp President Célia Parnes emphasized that dialogue with candidates from across the political spectrum is part of the institution’s mission. She stressed that there are non-negotiable priorities for the Jewish community, including combating antisemitism and all forms of intolerance, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at the national level, strengthening and normalizing diplomatic relations between Brazil and Israel, and expanding legal cooperation to enhance the security of Jewish institutions.

During the meeting, Fisesp and Conib presented data showing a rise in antisemitic incidents in Brazil, with cases recorded on social media, in universities, and in public debate. The organizations highlighted that antisemitism is a cross-ideological phenomenon, not confined to any single party or political camp.

Renan Santos expressed concern about the transformation of antisemitism and its spread among younger generations. He noted that antisemitic discourse is taking new forms and finding channels of dissemination on social media, particularly among members of Generation Z, transcending traditional divisions between right and left.

The candidate also addressed antisemitic episodes in universities and called for a discussion on the limits of autonomy in public universities when faced with manifestations of intolerance.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both Renan Santos and Kim Kataguiri received a document outlining the main concerns and proposals of the Jewish community. Kataguiri was also recognized for his ongoing engagement and availability to the community in recent years.

The meeting was part of a series of institutional dialogues organized by Fisesp with candidates in the 2026 elections, reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to democratic, plural, and nonpartisan dialogue. These sessions provide a platform for candidates seeking major public offices to present their proposals and debate issues relevant to the Jewish community and Brazilian society. Last week, the Federation hosted São Paulo Governor and re-election candidate Tarcísio de Freitas for a similar meeting with Jewish community leaders.