On November 1, 2018, Brazil’s president-elect, Jair Bolsanaro, tweeted that he intends to fulfill his campaign promise and move Brazil’s embassy to Jerusalem. All signs point to a unprecedentedly strong relationship between Bolsanaro – an evangelical Christian – and the current Israeli government, starting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Brazil to attend Bolsanaro’s inauguration. Likewise, in yet another case of the sons (or sons in law) of illiberal leaders joining forces to implement a Middle East-related agenda, Bolsonaro’s son reportedly met in late November with Jared Kushner to discuss the issue of Brazil’s moving its embassy.
The Arab League issued a statement warning Bolsanaro that such move could harm the country’s relations with Arab countries.