Secretary General: Opening a commercial office in Jerusalem is a step in the wrong direction

Ambassador Mahmoud Afifi, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, confirmed that Brazil's opening of 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. In Jerusalem, efforts to achieve peace are useless and this is a flagrant violation of the principles of international law that consider Jerusalem as an occupied territory and prohibits the transfer of embassies or representative offices for commercial purposes before settling their status through negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli parties.

"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. 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.