Pro-Palestinian activists cover ‘State of Israel’ Street sign in São Paulo

Pro-Palestinian activists in Brazil temporarily covered a street sign bearing the name “Estado de Israel” (State of Israel) in São Paulo with a sticker reading “Free Palestine, from the river to the sea,” as part of a protest in solidarity with Palestinians.

Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila participated in the action on Sunday. Images circulated online showed a sticker designed to resemble São Paulo’s official street signage placed over the existing sign.

Following the protest, Ávila published a statement on social media criticising Israeli policies toward Palestinians and restrictions on humanitarian assistance entering the Gaza Strip. He also criticised US policy toward the conflict.

Ávila has participated in several international campaigns supporting Palestinians, including maritime missions seeking to break Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip.

In May, Ávila returned to Brazil after being detained, tortured and subsequently deported by Israel following his participation in a Gaza-bound flotilla.

Ávila is also a candidate for Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies in São Paulo state for the Sustainability Network party, placing his activism within the country’s broader political and electoral debate. Brazilian media reported in August that he was campaigning for a federal deputy seat.

Separately, the source reported an effort within the municipality of Santos, in São Paulo state, to formally rename a public space currently called “State of Israel Square” as “Palestinian Journalists’ Square.”