CONCERNING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN BRAZIL AND ISRAEL Josimar Salum

CONCERNING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN BRAZIL AND ISRAEL

Josimar Salum

Shalom, people of the Covenant! 

Shalom, people of the Promise. 

Shalom, people of God’s Love! 

Shalom, to all who were born by His Eternal Word.

I have learned to love the Book of God since childhood, and among its passages I find these words to be a cornerstone and the fundament of my faith.

““For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. 

The Lord did not set His love on you, nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, 

the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 

“Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;” Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ 

Israel is a special treasure for the Eternal One Himself. 

Not just every nation in the face of the Earth, but every inhabitant of this planet must face the Truth that their Creator has wisely set apart a people to bless them all, Israel! 

And those who bless Israel are blessed also. This is simply a spiritual law and determines the rise and fall of all the nations and families of the Earth. 

And those who align their lives, their families, their nations with these eternal and unchangeable words are meant to come under God’s promises that never fail. 

Brazil has been a refuge for Jews throughout its history. 

Jewish immigration in Brazil was a migratory movement that began with the colonization of Brazil when Sephardic Jews and New Christians settled in the colony.  

The history of the Jews in Brazil began since the first Portuguese arrived in the country in 1500, notably Mestre João and Gaspar da Gama who arrived in the first ships. Several Sephardic Jews immigrated to Brazil during its early settlements. They were known as “New Christians” - Conversos or Marranos. 

Jews were obliged to convert to Roman Catholicism by the Portuguese crown. 

Although only baptized Christians were subjected to the Inquisition, Jews started settling in Brazil when the Inquisition reached Portugal. Many arrived in Brazil in the 1600’s during the period of Dutch rule, establishing in Recife the first synagogue. 

Kahal Zur Israel (Rock of Israel) was a Jewish synagogue located at Rua do Bom Jesus (Street of the Jews) number 197 in Recife, Brazil. 

It was established in 1636 by Portuguese and Spanish Sephardic Jews that had taken refuge in the Netherlands fleeing forced conversion and were joined by New Christians, who possibly helped to build the structure and were already living in the colony. It was the first synagogue erected in the Americas.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the immigration of Jews to Brazil increased, and it was mainly composed of Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe.

But here is a landmark we cherish of goodness and justice in our relations with Israel. 

It was our hero Oswaldo Aranha who, after three years of Adolf Hitler's cruel attempt to exterminate the Jewish people, helped to establish the State of Israel on November 29, 1947. Oswaldo gave an unprecedented vote in the United Nations meeting, which was made possible six months later, through the persistence and firmness of those who believed that the land belonged to the Jews that the Jewish State was founded. 

Yes, on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel.

It is true that there have been and there are antisemitic movements in Brazil executed by individuals and political leftist parties, but said movements are becoming inexpressive shadows in comparison to the greatness of the multitude of Brazilians that learned to love Israel and its people. 

There are millions and millions of Brazilians, who worship the GOD of Israel every week, who pray constantly for the Peace of Jerusalem and that cherish love and respect for the people of Israel. 

I am talking about more than 160 million Brazilian voices that support the State of Israel. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in December 2018 that the government of Jair Bolsonaro would bring "a new era" in relations between Israel and "the major power of Brazil". President Bolsonaro has turned Brazil in the last 4 years into Israel's new best friend, indeed.

The two nations enjoy a degree of arms cooperation and maintain close political and military ties. Brazil is a full member state of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and several Brazilian elected officials participate in the Israel Allies Caucus or Israel Allies Foundation which mobilizes pro-Israel parliamentarians in governments worldwide. 

Our recently elected Congress has more than 70% constituents that are also pro-Israel and our First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro had recently invited our friend Albert Veksler, his wife, and others to celebrate Yom Kippur and they did at the beginning of this month in the Alvorada Palace. And they have hosted the First Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Brasilia for our amazement at the end of the month.

The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (JPB) is a prayer movement initiated and chaired by former Knesset Member Robert Ilatov, and co-chaired by U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and the director is Albert Veksler. Throughout the year, the JPB brings together government leaders and influential Christian leaders from all walks of society to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

We have prayed and worked to re-elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro for many reasons, but especially to consolidate the friendship, mutual support and mutual alliances between Israel and Brazil. 

I was in Jerusalem to pray for Brazil, Israel and the US Election.

And from Jerusalem we have proclaimed these timeless chant: 

JERUSALEM! YERUSHALAIM!

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 

“The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; 

For in My wrath, I struck you, But in My favor, I have had mercy on you. 

Therefore, your gates shall be open continually; They shall not be shut day or night, 

That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, and their kings in procession. 

“Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations.

“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; 

But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. 

Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself. 

For the Lord will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended. 

Also, your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, 

The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.”

#ASONE