Ilha Verde, an inn in Itacaré, Bahia, said it would not host former Israeli military personnel involved in the Gaza war. (Foto: Instagram)
Ilha Verde, an inn in Itacaré, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, said it would not host former Israeli military personnel who were involved in the war in the Gaza Strip. The policy was announced Nov. 13, 2026, amid recent tensions between Israeli visitors and local residents. Israeli organizations in Brazil have characterized the incidents as prejudice against Israeli citizens.
In a statement, the inn said people it considers war criminals are not welcome and that its policy applies to people who commit violence or encourage, support or justify it. In a separate post, Ilha Verde said it welcomes people of all nationalities, religions and backgrounds. The establishment said its opposition is directed at genocide, war crimes, violence and human rights violations—not at any people.
The announcement came days after a dispute over an artistic mural in the town. The work included pro-Palestinian messages, including the slogan “From the river to the sea.” Israeli tourists visiting Itacaré criticized the phrase and accused local artists of antisemitism. The slogan is associated with a call for a single Palestinian state extending between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, an area that includes Israel, which is led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The article also noted that some Israelis use the term “Greater Israel” to advocate Jewish sovereignty over the same area.
A group of Israeli tourists who objected to the mural tried to remove the paintings and posters. After the confrontation and pressure from the visitors, the property owner decided to repaint the building’s facade. The owner said permission had been given for artwork connected to the town’s identity, but not for political messages. Local residents and pro-Palestinian activists have described the episode as “predatory tourism.”
Separately, Israeli tourists have been named in a sexual harassment complaint in Salvador that is under investigation by the Bahia Civil Police. On Nov. 9, a group of lawmakers from PSOL appealed to the federal government to investigate the case. They also called for measures to prevent further incidents and protect victims.
StandWithUs Brasil and other organizations that oppose antisemitism have viewed the incidents as prejudice against Israeli citizens. Tourist areas in Bahia, including Itacaré and Morro de São Paulo, have received large numbers of Israeli visitors for several years. Many make the trip after completing mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces.
