São Paulo – The ambassador of Palestine to Brasília, Ibrahim Al-Zeben, praised Brazilian participation in peace talks with Israel on Tuesday (22) at a talk at Armando Álvares Penteado Foundation (FAAP), in São Paulo. Al-Zeben stated that the Palestinians are pleased with the Brazilian policy for the region, as the country is a "balanced player" in political talks in the area.
"Brazil is a friendly nation to both parties. The country has potential [to help in talks] as it is a place in which Arabs and Jews live in peace. The country may be a protagonist as it has always had a position of conciliation,” said Al-Zeben.
During the talk, the ambassador defended recognition of the Palestinian state by the United Nations (UN). The state has already been accepted by UN agencies, like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), but has not been approved by the organisation’s Security Council.
An International Law Professor at FAAP, Marcus Vinícius de Freitas stated that the debate on Palestine having the right to its state was “productive” as it allowed the ambassador and some 100 students who participated in the event to talk about controversial matters in the peace process. “Both parties understand that only dialogue can solve difference. Maybe this discussion would not have been so open elsewhere, as both people live in peace here,” he said.
Promotion of the talk was also praised by students participating in the event. "I liked seeing a Palestinian [the ambassador] showing his side of the story. I also thought that the historic context was interesting. I believe that events like this one help establish dialogue,” said law student Karl Bolliger, aged 24.
During his talk, Al-Zeben defended a free, unoccupied Palestinian state and the end of the wall that separates parts of Israel and Palestine. "We do not want walls. We want bridges connecting both states,” he said.
*Translated by Mark Ament
