Brazil
Brazil is the largest nation in South America, currently undergoing a pivotal political shift as right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro challenges incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in an election with major implications for bilateral ties with Israel.
Brazil is a federal republic in South America and a significant global actor whose relationship with Israel has fluctuated based on its domestic political leadership. Under the current administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, diplomatic ties have faced notable strain, characterized by a cooling of bilateral cooperation and critical rhetoric regarding Israeli security operations. This period of friction follows a previous era of closer alignment under former President Jair Bolsonaro.
In late 2026, Brazil entered a high-stakes presidential election cycle. The race features a direct confrontation between the left-wing incumbent, Lula da Silva, and the right-wing challenger, Flavio Bolsonaro. The election is viewed as a referendum on Brazil's international standing and its strategic alliances. Flavio Bolsonaro has campaigned on a platform of restoring robust ties with Jerusalem, explicitly pledging to return the Brazilian ambassador to Israel—a position left vacant under the Lula administration—and to relocate the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem. This move would align Brazil with a select group of nations recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Preliminary results from the first round of voting in October 2026 showed a highly competitive race. Early tallies indicated Flavio Bolsonaro leading with approximately 47.45% of the vote against Lula's 44.66%. Because neither candidate secured the absolute majority of 50% required for an outright victory, the election is proceeding to a runoff scheduled for October 25. Beyond its political landscape, Brazil remains a key regional power, recently contributing to international humanitarian efforts, such as dispatching search-and-rescue teams to assist Venezuela following devastating earthquakes. For Israel and the Jewish world, the outcome of the current political transition in Brasilia will determine whether the nation returns to a posture of strategic partnership or continues its current path of diplomatic divergence.