Comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany occur frequently in the political discourse of anti-Zionism and part of the broader criticism of Israel. Given the legacy of the Holocaust, the nature of these comparisons, and particularly whether they constitute antisemitism, is a matter of fervent controversy. Comparisons between Zionism and Nazism have been made by academics, politicians and public figures, both Jewish and not, since before the establishment of Israel. Some scholars suggest these comparisons can be rhetorical tools without any specific antisemitic intent, or that they can be an informed and necessary response to Israeli policies or actions. Others state such comparisons lack historical and moral equivalence, risk inciting antisemitism and may serve as a form of Holocaust inversion, denial or minimisation. During the 20th century, a wide variety of political figures and governments, especially those on the left, have invoked comparisons between Israel or Zionism, and Nazism. In the 21st century, politicians who have made such comparisons include Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, Colombian president Gustavo Petro and others.