According to experts, setting up an office in Jerusalem could be 'disastrous' for Brazil.
Jair Bolsonaro's decision to establish a commercial and diplomatic cooperation office in Jerusalem, the disputed capital between Israel and Palestine, was poorly received among Arab countries; following the backlash, the president proposed meeting with Arab leaders to clarify Brazil's position; in an interview with Sputnik, an expert comments on the episode.
Sputnik - Jair Bolsonaro's decision to establish a trade and diplomatic cooperation office in Jerusalem, the disputed capital between Israel and Palestine, was poorly received among Arab countries. Following the backlash, the president proposed meeting with Arab leaders to clarify Brazil's position. In an interview with Sputnik, an expert comments on the episode.
According to Clayton Vinícius Pergoraro, professor of International Law at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, the Brazilian president's visit to Israel should have focused on strengthening technological cooperation, transferring military know-how, and opportunities for agribusiness. He described the decision to establish the office in Jerusalem as "potentially disastrous for the country."
As the world's largest exporter of halal meat—meat slaughtered according to Muslim precepts—Brazil could face retaliation with embargoes from Arab nations that support Palestine. Because of this problem, Pergoraro is betting on an agreement with the United Arab Emirates "for business reasons, as well as for tourism and strategic reasons, without ruling out the possibility of meetings with Saudi Arabia and other countries that would bring the conversation together."
"Brazil has a very high standard for animal protein, and ignoring this [halal meat] market would be completely absurd. They [Arab countries] could drastically reduce their imports of our meat, a measure that would be terrible for the country's trade balance. It's less of a legal issue and more of an economic, mathematical one," the professor assesses.
Clayton also highlighted that Arab countries will put pressure on Bolsonaro, and the continuation of good trade relations will require commitment in providing explanations.
"Historically, there has been an issue between Israel and the Middle East, and there is no reason for this decision [to establish the office]. We will have to provide an answer and explain whether it is an economic issue, an arms race issue, or whatever it may be," he concludes.