Lumen Olivarum: Israel and Brazil

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Israel and Brazil

The State of Israel and Brazil have developed a close relationship with each other since the founding of modern Israel in 1948. Brazil has promised to move its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Benjamin Netanyahu visited Brazil this week. He is the first Israeli prime minister to visit the country. While being there, Netanyahu attended the swearing in of Brazil’s new president Jair Bolsonaro, met with Christian Friends of Israel, and members of the Jewish community in the country. A new stamp was presented to Netanyahu to commemorate the 70 year anniversary of the State of Israel and the good relationship that has developed between Brazil and Israel. Some Evangelical Christians in Brazil, such as Ana Paula Bessa, believe they have a prophetic destiny with Israel. In March 2018, a large delegation of Christian Evangelicals from Brazil marched through the streets of Jerusalem during the annual Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. There even is a replica of The Temple Solomon in Sao Paulo, Brazil that was built by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKC).

For a critical review of the UCKC, see here.

For a video of Netanyahu’s meeting with Christian Friends of Israel in Brazil, see here. The video contains Netanyahu's story of meeting Pope John Paul II who greeted the prime minister with “you are our older brothers” (see video 7:15-8:15).