Portrait of Jair Bolsonaro
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Jair Bolsonaro on Israel

Staunch Pro-Israel Ally (strong)

TL;DR

Jair Bolsonaro was an exceptionally pro-Israel head of state who cultivated deep ties and promised significant diplomatic alignment with the nation.

Key Points

  • He received the Friends of Zion Award from the Friends of Zion Museum for going “above and beyond” for the State of Israel.

  • During his presidency, he announced that Brazil would open an Economic Mission in Jerusalem, the Israeli capital, in 2019.

  • He publicly waved the Israeli flag at a mass rally in February 2024 as a direct rebuttal to his successor’s critical comments on Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

Summary

Jair Bolsonaro maintained an exceptionally strong and vocal pro-Israel stance during his presidency, frequently framing the relationship as one built on shared Judeo-Christian values and a mutual alignment against global adversaries. Key evidence of this commitment included his stated intention, modeled after a key political role model, to relocate Brazil's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a promise that was ultimately not fully realized during his term. Furthermore, he fostered close personal and political ties with the Israeli Prime Minister and was recognized by pro-Israel organizations as a major international ally for his unwavering support.

This alignment was strongly ideological, deeply rooted in the growing influence of evangelical Christian Zionism within his political base and his broader conservative worldview. Following his electoral defeat, this stance became a primary point of contrast against his successor, who adopted a critical position regarding Israeli military actions in Gaza. The former president and his political allies have since continued to publicly signal this affinity, often using symbols like the Israeli flag at domestic rallies to rebut political opponents and project a clear foreign policy direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jair Bolsonaro holds a strongly positive and supportive position toward Israel, viewing the nation as a strategic and civilizational ally. His administration worked to strengthen ties, which was heavily influenced by his conservative and evangelical base. His supporters continue to signal this deep affinity, contrasting it with the current administration's foreign policy.

The former president had vowed to move Brazil's embassy to Jerusalem, following the precedent set by the US president he admired. However, while in office, the country instead opened a trade office in the Israeli capital in 2019 as a precursor. His political successors have reversed this trajectory.

Even after leaving office, he continues to publicly demonstrate support for Israel, notably by waving the nation's flag at major rallies. He also recently requested the return of his seized passport to accept an invitation for a visit to Israel.