Netanyahu, Mike Pompeo to attend inauguration of Brazilian President

Israel is also proactively seeking to increase its economic ties with Latin America, including Brazil which hosts the world’s ninth largest Jewish community.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: DECEMBER 23, 2018 22:20
Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro salutes before receiving a confirmation of his victory in the recent presidential election in Brasilia, Brazil December 10, 2018 (photo credit: ADRIANO MACHADO/ REUTERS)
Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro salutes before receiving a confirmation of his victory in the recent presidential election in Brasilia, Brazil December 10, 2018
(photo credit: ADRIANO MACHADO/ REUTERS)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be among the dignitaries attending the January 1 inauguration of Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.
“This weekend I will leave on a historic visit to Brazil,” Netanyahu said. “Upon my arrival I will meet with President-elect Jair Bolsonaro and later with other leaders as well.”
His trip comes after Bolsonaro pledged to relocate the country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“This visit will also bring important diplomatic news: A ‘turnaround’ in Israel’s relations with the largest country in Latin America. Step by step, methodically and persistently, we are turning Israel into a rising global power,” Netanyahu said.
Israel is also proactively seeking to increase its economic ties with Latin America, including Brazil, which hosts the world’s ninth-largest Jewish community.
“There are two ways to generate growth in the Israeli economy: One is to create new products and the other is to open new markets,” Netanyahu said. “Brazil is a huge market, almost 250 million people; the opening of this gigantic market will create new jobs in Israel and will greatly help the Israeli economy.”