President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited on Wednesday,
the grave of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who died in 2004, saying he was
willing to talk with all parties, including the Islamist movement Hamas, at the
end of a historic trip to the Palestinian territories. He also inaugurated the
"street of Brazil" in Ramallah (West Bank), near the headquarters of the
Palestinian Authority, before a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"I am very happy the street of Brazil stands in front of the mausoleum for
Arafat, this demonstrates the affection the Palestinian people feel for the
people of Brazil," Lula said during the ceremony, attended by Palestinian Prime
Minister Salam Fayyad. Lula also said during a press conference with President
Abbas, that his country is willing to talk with Hamas, which controls Gaza, to
help the peace efforts...
read more Israel Must Accept that Independence Has a Cost
BPNIC Memo, March
2009
Israel must accept that independence has a cost, and that no
settlement can be accepted without the recognition of the Right of Return.
Jews from all over the world and even converts to Judaism are allowed to
immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return; but in clear demonstration of
religious and ethnic discrimination, the indigenous Palestinian Muslim and
Christian populations are banned from returning to their homes. Israel refuses
to abide by international law with respect to the rights of the indigenous
non-Jewish population. Israel defines itself as a Jewish state and Palestinian
refugees are Christians and Muslims. Under international law, civilians fleeing
a war are entitled to return to their homes. U.N Resolution 194 - passed on 11
December 1948 and reaffirmed every year since 1948, the Palestinian refugees
wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should
be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date...
read more
House Committee Urges the Government to Establish an
Embassy for the State of Palestine
BPNIC Briefing, March
2009
Sixty one years ago, the world witnessed the expulsion of
around 800,000 Palestinians from their cities and villages, the killings of
civilians and the destruction of thousands of their homes. Today, the original
Palestinian refugees and their descendents, estimated to number more than 7
million, have a real partner to help them establish their new home in the Holy
Land. One of the most dynamic and highly productive countries in the world,
Brazil, with respect to the interest of the international community, has begun
to preserve and maintain Palestinian rights and achievements. On March 18, 2009,
the Committee of Foreign Relations and National Defense of the House, approved a
bill authorizing the Federal Government to donate land in Brasilia for the
future premises of the embassy of Palestine, reported InfoRel. InfoRel also reported that,
according to the Ministry of External Relations, it is of special interest in
the context of the Brazilian foreign policy, to donate a lot to Palestine, so
that the delegation has its own seat in Brasilia...
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Brazilian Leaders Strongly Support Creation of Palestine
Brazilian leaders from across the political field strongly supported
Palestinian's right to exist in the face of Israeli attacks on the
occupied Palestinian territories.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and Palestinian Foreign Minister
Riyad al-Malki sign a Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee
(BPNIC) fostered agreement that designates Palestine as a major Arab
League ally of Brazil.
The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday, March 27,
2009, defended independence for Palestine.
At the opening of the 2nd Summit of South America-Arab Countries in Doha,
President Lula said it is not possible that after so many years of negotiations
frequently interrupted by military actions, we do not yet have a cohesive and
economically viable Palestinian state, it is not possible for the world to
remain insensitive to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The Brazilian government has announced several measures that could help the
country join the UNSC, specifically related to progress in the path of national
independence for the Palestinians and security for Israelis, and has
consistently spoken in favor of a cease fire, and against acts of mutual
hostilities.
The Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee praises Brazil for the
statement, which reaffirmed the commitment to Palestine, and stressed the
importance of Palestine to the world. Brazil was the first Latin American
country to be granted an observer status in the Arab League, which Palestine is
a member... read
more
Bridging the Gap Report: Settlements Back
to the Center of the Conflict Between Israel and Palestinians
BPNIC Periodical,
March 2010
The Israeli settlements in territories claimed by Palestinians
returned to the center of discussion this week, with international
pressure on the Israeli government to stop the construction of 1,600
houses in the eastern portion of Jerusalem. The measure has drawn
criticism even from the more traditional Israeli ally, the United
States. Last Friday (19), the diplomatic Quartet group on the Middle
East (comprising of the U.S., European Union, Russia and the UN),
which attempts to establish a plan for peace between Jews and
Palestinians, called on Israel to freeze all settlements, and the
Palestinians to not take steps that would undermine the start of
negotiations.
The diplomats also outlined a plan for both parties to achieve peace
in two years. The Israeli public is divided - according to research
commissioned by the newspaper Yediot Aharonot on Friday, 51% of
respondents are in favor of building new settlements in Jerusalem,
compared with 46%. In another survey, published the same day by the
journal Haaretz, the difference is 48 to 41%, respectively...
read more
