Israel Attack On Gaza Condemned By Brazil, Israel Responds With World Cup Loss Jibe

When dealing with an international crisis involving the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands, it may seem inappropriate to make a passive aggressive comment about football.

But not for Israel. Brazil's humiliating 1-7 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals of the widely-watched FIFA World Cup earlier this month was brought up after Brazil condemned Israeli attack on Gaza, calling it a "disproportionate use of force".

Israel retaliated on Thursday by calling Brazil a "diplomatic dwarf" and went on to sneer at the nation's World Cup loss, the Washington Post reported.

"This is not football. In football, when a game ends in a draw, you think it is proportional, but when it finishes 7-1 it's disproportionate. Sorry to say, but not so in real life and under international law," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor reportedly said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Defending Israel's actions he added: "Israel's response is perfectly proportioned in accordance with international law."

"This is an unfortunate demonstration of why Brazil, an economic and cultural giant, remains a diplomatic dwarf".

Brazil was among 29 nations in the United Nations Human Rights Council that voted for an international probe into Israel's offensive.

Brazil's foreign minister, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, sharply retaliated, stating Brazil is not a "dwarf."

"We are one of 11 countries worldwide that have diplomatic relations with all UN members, and have a history of cooperation for peace and international actions for peace," Figueiredo said in an interview with CBN radio.

"If there are any diplomatic dwarfs, Brazil is not one of them."

So far, Brazilian officials have not responded to the 7-1 jibe.

A 12-hour "humanitarian" truce is currently under way in Gaza as world leaders hold peace talks in Paris to negotiate an extension to the ceasefire.

Parts of Gaza came under heavy bombardment, with explosions and black smoke rising above Gaza City, minutes before the break in hostilities.