Brazilian president concludes Israel tour, attends Israeli innovation exhibit and Israeli-Brazilian business forum with PM; Netanyahu: The sky is the limit, and we welcome you as our dearest friends.
President Jair Bolsonaro concluded his four-day visit in Israel by attending an exhibition on Israeli innovation and technologies, as well as an Israeli-Brazilian business forum alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu before returning to Brazil on Tuesday.
Speaking to the press on Bolsonaro’s last day, Prime Minister Netanyahu again praised strong bilateral ties and the deals and agreements signed over this week. He stated, “Brazil has tremendous gifts and tremendous possibilities to join us. We can be, and want to be, your perfect partners. We have no limitation on what we share with you, whether it’s cybersecurity, in general security, in agriculture, in water, in IT. The sky is the limit, and we welcome you as our dearest friends.” On a personal note, the prime minister stated, “We have a brotherhood. Our civilization began in this city thousands of years ago. Our common heritage began on these hills thousands of years ago. We cherish our past. We cherish our traditions. We are like an old tree with deep roots that keeps on sending branches to the sky. We have a wonderful opportunity to change the world and to change our future for the better.”
Bolsonaro, when asked about Brazilian-Israeli ties, was quoted stating to Israeli media Tuesday, “First of all, I’m Christian and I love Israel. I really feel the atmosphere of cooperation between our countries is happening now and we can improve for the betterment of both of our people.”
On Monday, Bolsonaro made history as the first active head of state to visit the Western Wall with an Israeli prime minister. The premier announced the opening of a Brazilian trade office in Jerusalem, a first step ahead of relocating its embassy. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed a trade office, not an embassy, would be opened, stating “Brazil decided to create an office in Jerusalem to promote trade, investment, technology and innovation as a part of its embassy in Israel.” Dozens of agreements in trade within security, agriculture, tourism, aviation and science were also signed, as well as three Memorandums of Understandings.
Prime Minister Netanyahu will next meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday before returning to Israel for its national elections on Tuesday. Talks with the Kremlin will center on Iran, Syria and bilateral military coordination.
Photo: Marcelo Chello/Shutterstock.com
