The opening of a commercial office in Jerusalem by Brazil is a misstep

April 04, 2019

Ambassador Mahmoud Afifi, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, said that Brazil opens a trade office in Jerusalem during the visit of the Brazilian president to Israel was a reaction to the Brazilian position and a negative message to the Arab world.
He stressed that the opening of representative offices in occupied Jerusalem was not in the interest of peace efforts and that it constituted a flagrant violation of the principles of international law, which considers Jerusalem as an occupied territory and banned the transfer of embassies or representative or commercial offices before resolving their status through negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
"This action by Brazil is a step in the wrong direction," said Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary general of the Arab League. It will certainly not lead to a development of Arab-Brazilian relations.
Afifi added that since the presidency of President Paulsonaro, Brazilian positions have been monitored and studied by the Arab League. The intentions announced recently, as well as statements made during the visit of President Polsonaro to Israel, indicate a significant and gradual decline positions. Which in the past was based on respect for the principles of international law and the promotion of the legitimate rights of Palestinians, thus creating a solid foundation for strong relations between the Arab world and Brazil.
The spokesman expressed the hope that the Brazilian administration would manage its approaches wisely in the next stage and carefully study the consequences on its relations with the Arab world, peoples and governments.