How was Caiado and Tarcísio’s trip in support of Israel

The governors of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), and Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado (União), return to Brazil in the early hours of this Friday (22) after five days of official visit to Israel. The trip reaffirmed the governors’ support and solidarity with the country, despite the criticism made by the president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to the government of Israel.

The gesture is in line with the actions of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in relation to Israel, with whom he intensified diplomatic relations and trade agreements. expertise and military equipment.

Symbolic, the visit strengthens the image of the governors as possible successors to the former president in 2026.

Amid geopolitical tensions and security challenges faced by Israel against the terrorist group Hamasthe visit emphasized Brazil’s support for the country at a time when the Lula government broke diplomatic relations between the two countries, becoming persona non grata.

The intensification of the diplomatic fight between Lula and Israel It occurred mainly after the president of the PT compared Israel’s actions in Gaza with the Nazis’ Holocaust against the Jews. During the trip, the governors met with important Israeli political figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzogin which they expressed commitment to the region and portrayed Lula’s speech on behalf of Brazilians who support Israel.

“We make it clear that [a declaração de Lula] It was an unfortunate line.”

Governor of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado

“We love the Brazilian people, and we know that they love us too. Together, we have to build the foundation for a better world,” said the president Herzog to governors. “We are not attacking the Palestinian people. We are at war against Hamas. We are a peace-loving nation,” he added.

“You are good friends of Israel, and I am very pleased to have you here,” he said. Netanyahu. In a closed-door hearing at the official headquarters of the Israeli government, in Jerusalem, which lasted about an hour, the prime minister detailed the attacks suffered by Isarel on October 7th, when 1,200 people were killed and hundreds more were kidnapped.

Visit to historical sites and pay tribute to the dead

Tarcísio and Caiado’s agenda in Israel included visits to historical sites and institutions such as the Holocaust Museum and the headquarters of Israeli Aerospace Industries, a world leader in civil and military aviation and in the development of electronic technology. There were also meetings with representatives of startups in the areas of mobility and accessibility and in the ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

The governors were at the place known as Hostage Square, in Tel Aviv, where relatives of those kidnapped by Hamas continue to pay tribute to the victims. The governors offered solidarity to the family of Michel NisembaumBrazilian-Israeli citizen held hostage since the attack on October 7, 2023.

Ayala Harel, Nisembaum’s niece, said the family has been without news since then. The meeting took place during a forum with relatives of Israelis who are in the group’s power and who are mobilizing for actions to be taken in favor of liberation. “Tarcísio and I made ourselves available for a meeting within the National Congress, in the Relations committee Foreign countries, to hear testimonies and that the Israeli embassy can bring to parliamentarians the barbarity practiced here”, said Caiado.

The governor of Goiás also proposed taking the video presented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which compiles in 47 minutes more than seven hours of recording of the attack in October 2023. “It’s appalling to see the joy [dos terroristas] in killing and maiming thousands of people, something that one does not have the courage to do against anything or anyone, much less against a human being”, he stated.

Tarcísio receives an ovation in a speech to the Brazilian community in Israel

There was also a meeting with the Brazilian community in Ra’anana, a city in the central district of Israel, about 20 kilometers from the capital. The auditorium with capacity for 400 people was full and many people who wanted to participate had to stay out. Tarcísio was applauded by those present in a speech against Hamas and in favor of Israel.

“Anyone who thinks that that group of Hamas terrorists wants a Palestinian state is mistaken, they don’t. It’s clear that they want the destruction of Israel, and this is just the beginning. And it’s impressive how the world, authorities and leaders haven’t realized what risk that we take. Because if they took over this region, if Israel wasn’t here, Western civilization would end,” he said.

“It’s impressive, but world harmony depends on the State of Israel. It is the State of Israel that will prevent the spread of terror and terrorism. And we have to be together. We never had any doubt which was the right side of history” .

Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas

Caiado, in turn, declared that the hatred cultivated against Jews is worrying and that Israel has dedicated itself “increasingly to building peace and showing that it is achieved through gestures of solidarity.” Regarding the attack suffered on October 7, he told the Israeli president that Goiás honored the victims with the recent inauguration of the Am Israel Chai park, in Goiania. “We installed the first memorial [fora de Israel]with 1,200 trees planted”.

Tarcísio and Caiado’s trip to Israel repeats Bolsonaro’s gesture

When he was president, Bolsonaro undertook a series of initiatives that resulted in a significant strengthening of ties between Brazil and Israel, both diplomatically and commercially. One of Bolsonaro’s main measures was the opening of a commercial office in Jerusalemannounced in March 2019. Although the transfer of the Brazilian embassy to the city was initially considered as a gesture of recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, this decision was later suspended, keeping it in effect. Tel Aviv.

Bolsonaro’s official visit to Israel, also in March 2019, marked a high point in bilateral relations. During the visit, the then Brazilian president also met with the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli authorities, resulting in the signing of several cooperation agreements in areas such as agriculture, science and technology, public security and defense.

In addition to trade agreements, Bolsonaro has publicly expressed support for Israel on sensitive political issues, such as defending Israel’s right to self-defense and rejecting Israeli resolutions. UN considered harmful to Israeli interests. This stance contributed to strengthening political ties between the two countries.

Security and defense cooperation was also expanded during Bolsonaro’s term, with Brazil and Israel developing joint exercises and expanding the sale of military equipment, in addition to training security forces and exchanging information. Recently, Bolsonaro stated that he would ask the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for authorization to accept the invitation to go to Israel, considering that his passport has been withheld since February, when the Federal Police (PF) launched the operation Tempus Veritatis.