Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva does not intend to apologize to Israel for criticizing the military operation in the Gaza Strip and comparing it to the Holocaust, CNN Brasil reports, citing the special adviser to the head of state for international affairs Celsa Amorim.

"We always speak with great respect and in defense of the two-state solution (Israel and the future Palestinian state), we have nothing to apologize for," he said, commenting on Israel's decision to declare Lula da Silva persona non grata until he apologizes for his remarks.