Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro arrived in Israel on Sunday just ahead of the country’s polls in which his ally Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough re-election fight.
Bolsonaro was welcomed by Netanyahu and an official ceremony at the airport near Tel Aviv.
He will walk a diplomatic tightrope during the three-day visit as he seeks to shore up ties with Netanyahu while avoiding angering key Arab trade partners.
Bolsonaro’s controversial pledge to move Brazil’s embassy to Jerusalem is expected to be high on the agenda, as Netanyahu uses the occasion to boost his standing ahead of April 9 elections.
Months after promising the shift, which sparked an angry response from Palestinian leaders, Bolsonaro has yet to announce a timetable.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Bolsonaro suggested he was in no hurry to make a decision.
“Trump took nine months to decide, to give his final word, so that the embassy was transferred,” Bolsonaro said.
“Perhaps now we will open a commercial office in Jerusalem.”
While moving the embassy would please Bolsonaro’s evangelical Christian support base, it would run the risk of provoking commercial retaliation from Arab states, some of which are major importers of Brazilian meat.
Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil when he travelled there for Bolsonaro’s January 1 inauguration.
In their discussions then, the two right-wingers talked up their budding “brotherhood” which they said would boost military, economic, technological and agricultural cooperation.
Netanyahu is facing a tough challenge from centrist former military chief Benny Gantz in Israel’s elections and is also under threat of indictment on corruption allegations.
-
Israel reopens Gaza crossings after week of hostilities
Israeli authorities have reopened the two crossings with the Gaza Strip after days of hostilities in a sign that cease-fire talks may be advancing. ... Middle East -
Fourth Palestinian killed in Israel border clashes: Gaza ministry
A fourth Palestinian died from Israeli fire in clashes sparked by mass demonstrations along the Israel-Gaza border on Saturday, the health ministry in ... Middle East -
Brazil’s Israel embassy move is an attack on the Palestinian people: envoy
Moving Brazil’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would be an “attack” on Palestinian people and a breach of international law, the ... Middle East