Brazil will move embassy to Jerusalem, president’s son promises
The upcoming year could include another embassy move to Jerusalem, the son of Brazil’s president said during a ceremony to open a “trade mission” for the country in Israel’s capital city.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is also a member of parliament, said that Brazil wants to set an example for the rest of Latin America.
“As my father says, the commitment still stands,” Bolsonaro said. “He will move the embassy to Jerusalem. It’s not something extraordinary. It’s supposed to be a natural and normal thing. We want to move to Jerusalem not just for Brazil, but to set an example for all of Latin America.”
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had promised to do when he was elected but appeared to back down from that promise earlier this year.
If you remember, President Trump did the same thing. He was all set to recognize Jerusalem in May 2017, to celebrate 50 years of a unified Jerusalem. However, he was talked out of it. This led to one of the worst summers any president has ever had—remember Charlottesville. However, on December 6th, 2017 he did finally recognize Jerusalem and move the embassy. Two weeks he passed his first piece of legislation—the tax bill. The US began to roar.
It is no coincidence that Brazil’s currency is tanking after Bosonaro’s about face regarding moving the embassy. The best thing he could do for Brazil, is move the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The trade office has no diplomatic status but Pres. Bolsonaro indicated its opening could be a prelude to moving the embassy.
“It is only symbolic, but it is worth a lot to those who believe in God,” he said earlier this month.
The U.S. and Guatemala moved their embassies to Jerusalem and Honduras plans to follow suit shortly. Honduras, Hungary, Australia and the Czech Republic have trade offices in the capital, and Slovakia and Ukraine are expected to open such offices.
At the trade office opening, MP Bolsonaro vowed his country would also recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. But Brazil is walking a fine line. Less than 1 percent of Brazil’s exports go to Israel, while nearly 5 percent go Arab countries.
The Brazilian media said that the move is political, designed to appeal to the government’s Christian base, while stopping short of harming relations with Arab states.
