FAR-RIGHT Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro drew sharp criticism from Israel on Saturday after he told a church congregation that the nazi Holocaust could be forgiven.

He was addressing a gathering of Brazilian evangelicals on Thursday when he made the remarks about the genocide in which at least six million Jews were exterminated in gas chambers and death camps.

“We can forgive, but we can’t forget,” he said. “That’s my phrase. Those who forget their past are condemned not to have a future.”

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, whose role is largely ceremonial, said: “Whether they be individuals or organisations, party heads or heads of state, no-one will ordain the Jewish people’s forgiveness, nor can this be obtained through any interest.”

Mr Bolsonaro caused outrage last month during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, when he said there was “no doubt” that the nazis were a leftist movement.

Yad Vashem responded to the Mr Bolsonaro’s comments, saying: “It is no-one’s place to decide who can be forgiven and whether there should be forgiveness for the crimes of the Holocaust.”