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Brazil–Palestine relations

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Brazil–Palestine relations
Map indicating locations of Brazil and State of Palestine

Brazil
Palestine

Brazil–Palestine relations are the current and historical bilateral relations between Brazil and Palestine. On 5 December 2010, Brazil officially recognized the State of Palestine including all of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.[1] In 2015, the Embassy of Palestine to Brazil was opened in Brasília,[2] and the Brazilian government received an area in Ramallah for installing its diplomatic mission to Palestine.[2]

Palestinian statehood

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 25 September 2024

In 2010, Brazil has firmly stressed its support for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including West Bank and the Gaza Strip.[1] The Brazilian Government has also advocated the end of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.[1] On 5 December 2010, it formally recognized the State of Palestine in the 1967 borders, including all of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.[3][4] The move initiated a chain reaction through the region. Given Brazil's economic prominence, its South American neighbors likely saw low political risks in following Brasília's lead.[5] In her address to the General Assembly, President Dilma Rousseff reiterated Brazil's firm support: "We believe the time has come for us to have Palestine fully represented as a full member in this forum."[6] Brazil voted in favor of Palestine's admission as a full member of UNESCO and has announced that it will support Palestine's full membership application when it comes to a vote at the Security Council.[7][8]

In 2015, the Embassy of Palestine to Brazil was opened in Brasília,[2] and the Brazilian government received an area in Ramallah for installing its diplomatic mission to Palestine.[2]

Following the 2018 Brazilian presidential election, President-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a staunch pro-Israel conservative, threatened to close the Palestinian embassy, and stated that Palestine "is not a country."[9]

In March 2019, Palestinian officials condemned Brazil's opening of commercial office in Jerusalem, as Palestinian officials consider Jerusalem as an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories.[10] Palestinians also condemned the visit of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to Jerusalem's Western Wall accompanied by Israel's prime minister in 2019.[11]

Under Bolsonaro, Brazil has voted against Palestine in multilateral forums, further leading to the deterioration of Brazil–Palestine relations. In February 2020, Brazil asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to stop its investigation into Israel for war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. In November 2020, Brazil voted against the approval of a resolution at the World Health Organization (WHO) to guarantee access to healthcare services for the Palestinian population residing in the occupied territories.[12]

In 2023, following his reelection, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, a pro-Palestinian left-wing and leader of the Workers' Party, called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.[13][14] On February 17, 2024, the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denounced the military operations of Israel while speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, comparing the events in Gaza to that of the Holocaust.[15][16] The statement was highly contentious within Israel, receiving strongly-worded statements from public figures including Benjamin Netanyahu.[16][17] Even tough Brazilian political leaders criticized the statement, Lula recalled the Brazilian ambassador to Israel,[15] and summoned the Israeli ambassador for a reprimand,[16][18] while Israel deeming the president of Brazil a persona non grata.[15] Since then, Lula maintained his position.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Brazil and the Middle East Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine The Cairo Review of Global Affairs. Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d "Opening of the New Embassy of Palestine in Brazil". Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  3. ^ Brazil recognises Palestine Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Governo brasileiro diz que status de Jerusalém deve ser definido após negociação" [Brazilian government states that Jerusalem's status must be redefined after negotiation]. Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 7 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  5. ^ Latin America and Palestine: Watershed or Worthless? Americas Quarterly. Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  6. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew; Planas, Roque (21 September 2011). "First Woman To Open UNGA Debate". Latin America News Dispatch. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  7. ^ Diplomat: Palestinians pushing for Security Council vote on UN membership bid Nov. 11[dead link] The Washington Post. Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  8. ^ Brazil Hails Palestine's UNESCO Entry Xinhua. Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  9. ^ Gilban, Marcus M., et al. Brazil Presidential Front-Runner Vows to Close Palestinian Embassy The Times of Israel
  10. ^ "Palestinians condemn Brazil's opening of commercial office in occupied Jerusalem". 31 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Bolsonaro visits Western Wall, Palestinians angry at Jerusalem mission". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Brazil votes against Palestine at WHO assembly, Palestinian ambassador to Brazil: 'This is contrary to what Brazil believes'". 14 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Brazil's Lula calls for ceasefire, humanitarian intervention in Israel-Palestinian conflict". Reuters. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  14. ^ Verdélio, Andreia (25 October 2023). "President Lula says war in the Middle East is genocide". Agência Brasil. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Paraguassu, Lisandra (19 February 2024). "Brazil will not retract Lula's Gaza comments in diplomatic row with Israel -sources". Reuters.
  16. ^ a b c Lidman, Melanie; Hughes, Eleonore (19 February 2024). "Israel says Brazil's president unwelcome until he apologizes for comparing Gaza war to Holocaust". Associated Press.
  17. ^ Berman, Lazar (18 February 2024). "Israel livid as Brazil's Lula says Israel like 'Hitler,' committing genocide in Gaza". The Times of Israel.
  18. ^ "Brazil recalls ambassador, summons Israeli envoy as scuffle over Gaza remarks deepens". The Times of Israel. 19 February 2024.
  19. ^ Chagas, Rodrigo (17 June 2025). "No G7, Lula vai contra grupo e condena 'matança indiscriminada' em Gaza e ataques de Israel ao Irã". Brasil de Fato (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
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