São Paulo – Brazil’s Federal Senate held a special session this Thursday (26) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Brazil-Palestine diplomatic ties. Ambassador and Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce International Relations vice president Osmar Chohfi attended the session.
Agência Senado reported that Palestine’s ambassador to Brasília, Ibrahim Alzeben, called on the Brazilian government to reiterate its commitment to espousing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.
“We acknowledge the contributions of (former) presidents José Sarney, Fernando Collor de Mello, Itamar Franco, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, Michel Temer, the Brazilian foreign ministers and diplomats, and the Brazilian Foreign Ministry staff,” said Alzeben. “And what do we expect from the honorable president Jair Bolsonaro? That he subscribe to the historical efforts of this great country. Long live the Brazilian-Palestinian friendship,” said the diplomat, who’s also dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil.
Alzeben named all of Brazil’s presidents during the so-called New Republic, since the 1985 transition back to democracy after 20-plus years of a military regime.
Agência Senado quoted the ambassador as saying Brazil’s support is crucial because of the international role played by the country. “We are all keeping track of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session (in New York). The speeches of almost – and I emphasize the word ‘almost’ – every world leader converge in their support of a two-state solution (for Israel and Palestine). They all concur with Palestine’s official view that the conflict wrought by the occupation is of a political and territorial nature, and not a religious one, and that its solution must be political,” stated Alzeben.
In his speech, League of Arab States ambassador to Brazil Qais Shqair stressed the prospects for Arab Brazilian relations ahead of the coming visits of president Bolsonaro to some Arab countries to enhance the bilateral relations with in different fronts. He stated that a nation-state such as Brazil, with its presence, role, and capabilities, is much respected and adored in the Arab countries, referring to Brazil’s history of defending Arab causes; the Palestinian’s on top of them, as well as to the contribution of around 5% of Brazilian citizens of Arab roots, to the wellbeing of Brazil on political, cultural, and economic fields.
Ibrahim Alzeben thanked Senate speaker Davi Alcolumbre and senator Esperidião Amin for the special session, according to Agência Senado. Amin, who requested the session, stressed that Brazil has always championed the self-determination and sovereignty of the Palestinian people, and that in 2010 the country officially recognized the State of Palestine, prompting other Latin American nations to follow suit.
“We desire peace among Palestinians and Israelis and a better life, full of prosperity, for all peoples of the world, and especially the people in that area. You can rely count of Brazil for this,” Amin said. The senator, as his surname implies, is a descendant of Arabs.
Arab Palestinian Federation in Brazil president Ualid Hussein Ali Mohd Rabah also spoke at the ceremony. “Brazil and Palestine must stay together, because their dreams can only come true in a new world. Brazil will be bigger in a world where Palestine is free,” he argued.
The director of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Middle East Department, Sidney Romero, also spoke. “On more than one occasion this year, we have expressed our support of a two-state solution. Brazil supports a solution that is just and comprehensive, and also effective and final. We hope that innovative approaches will unlock discussions regarding the more delicate aspects of this conflict,” he said
Romero was also quoted by Agência Senado as saying that the trip Bolsonaro will take to three Arab countries next October attests to the importance that Brazil’s government imparts to the Arab world. The president is slated to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
