Netanyahu expects new era for Brazil–Israel ties
Shortly before taking off for Brazil, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed enthusiasm about his first visit to the region, saying President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro’s administration will bring “a new era between Israel and the major power called Brazil.”
“We will discuss Israel's ties with the largest country in Latin America, the fifth most populous country in the world. Brazil is a huge country with huge potential for the State of Israel, economically, diplomatically and vis-à-vis security,” he said.
Early this morning (Dec. 28), the Embassy of Israel in Brazil released a video in which Ambassador Yossi Shelley talks about the visit. “It’s the first time an Israeli prime minister goes to Brazil and he will meet President Jair Bolsonaro to continue our partnerships in agriculture, water, public security,” he said.
Yesterday evening (27), President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro published on Twitter he will discuss “new directions” in Brazil–Israel relations with the Israeli prime minister. “Expectations are the best for this unprecedented moment in our history,” Bolsonaro declared.
In another tweet, fifteen minutes later, Bolsonaro noted that “Israel is known globally for its technology, [useful in] a number of services, and this is relevant to us.”
Schedule
Netanyahu is expected to arrive in Rio de Janeiro today and to stay in the country until Tuesday (Jan. 1), when he should attend the president-elect’s inauguration ceremony. He will have lunch with Bolsonaro at the Forte de Copacabana.
During his visit, the Israeli prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with international leaders. He is meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, and US State Secretary Mike Pompeo. His last engagement in Brazil will be with Chile’s President Sebastian Piñera.
