Feed Editor 8 Jul 2007 23:59:55 GMT RSS Feed that delivers real-time updates to your computer http://www.bpnic.org/ en 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. 4 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG032010.html Periodical 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. 4 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/PresidentLulaVisits.html Briefing 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. 2 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.cbinp.org/publications/ThankYouPresident.html Press Statement 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. 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/ethnic discrimination, the indigenous Palestinian Muslim and Christian populations are banned from returning to their homes. Israel must accept that independence has a cost, and that no settlement can be accepted without the recognition of the Right of Return. 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. 27 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/Israelmustaccept.html Memo 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. 24 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Historicbillpasses.html Briefing Brazil reaffirmed the interest in the Brazil-Palestine relationship and the constructive role Brazil can play in the search for peace and security in the Middle East.  President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, that peace in the Middle East is won only with the participation of Brazil, reported Estadao.  The fact that the rest of the world has been silent during the Israeli atrocities and did not stand up – has not deterred Brazil. They did not share the appreciation for the great contribution the Arab people given to Brazil.  The Brazil-Palestine relationship cannot change the past but together can shape the future, and today, with special support from IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa), Brazil, a country that has served the most number of years as an elected member of the UNSC than any other country, is aiming at establishing an independent State of Palestine, recognized by all member states of the United Nations. 3 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/PalestiniansHave.html Briefing Hamas is a resistance group that exists because the Palestinians have no government, weapons, security and rights. Therefore, the historic conflict with Israel will end only when the Palestinian people achieve the legal recognition of their state. This is what the political analyst Husam Bajis believes, Executive Director of the Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee. "The Gaza Strip has no legal and social autonomy. Only a unity government will give dignity to all Palestinians", said the Palestinian who lives in the United States.  According to Bajis, the group which controls the Gaza Strip is not practicing terrorism. "Not having a government and an army, the Palestinians have no protection. Before they threw rocks, now Hamas throws rockets as a means of resistance. It is the only way to defend from Israel", he says. For him, Israel attempts to colonize the Palestinian territories, violating Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention, which prohibits the annexation of territories by force. 31 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG012009.html Periodical 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. The Workers Party of the Brazilian Government said the attack by Israel in Gaza is criminal. The military actions of the Jewish state can only be characterized as state terrorism. Attacks cannot be answered through actions against civilians. Retaliation against civilians is a typical practice of the Nazi army: Lídice and Guernica are two examples. The Foreign Ministry said the Brazilian Government deplores the land invasion of Gaza by the Israeli Army. President of the Republic Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed the position of Brazil favoring the existence of both Palestine and Israel. 30 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilianleaders.html Briefing Deputy Pedro Wilson (PT-GO) in January 2009 defended the actions of the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in finding a solution for peace in the Middle East and the immediate cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza, reported Congresso em Foco. He retorted the criticism of former foreign ministers Celso Lafer and Luis Felippe Lampréia, both of the FHC government, which questioned the influence of Brazil in the negotiations and the validity of the visit of Minister Celso Amorim. "Only those who do not believe in Brazil can make a comment like this, we live a new time and our international credibility is immense", he said. He reaffirmed the Brazilian Government, which follows with concern the intensification of limitless attacks of Israel on the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza, through a message from President Lula, proposes that the UN intermediate urgently. 28 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/DeputyPedroWilson.html Briefing On behalf of the living God, the right to full life, human rights, freedom, self-determination of people and the right to a Palestinian State, we call on all Christians to take a position against the insanity of war. It is necessary for the entire international community to search for moderation and constructive dialog to resume the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. There will be no peace, while there is arrogance of radicals, on both sides. Disproportionate wars violates all the parameters of human rights and repeats, brutally and inhumanely, the Zionist holocaust which struck the Palestinian people 60 years ago, remembered as "Al Nakba", the day on which Palestine wept. 28 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/MessagefromDeputy.html Memo A major breakthrough in peace negotiations is still not expected between Palestinians and Israelis, unless Israel ends the colonization and abandons the occupied territories.  However, the participation of Brazil in the the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will give greater legitimacy to the peace process, help find a negotiated political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and achieve concrete progress in building the Palestinian State. The Brazilian government in 2007 and 2008 has announced several measures that would help the country join the UNSC, specifically related to advancing the path of national independence for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis, and has consistently spoken in favor of a ceasefire, and against mutual acts of hostility. 01 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Theimportance.html Briefing The Brazilian government criticized the decision of Israel to conduct aerial bombing on the Gaza Strip, and extended its solidarity to the families of the victims of the bombings. The escalation of violence in the region after the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas undermines efforts for a peaceful negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil on Saturday, December 27, 2008. What Israel is doing in one of the most densely populated tracts of land in the world, at the end of 2008, where the unemployment rate is higher than anywhere else in the world, is a war crime. The Government of Israel must end the siege and the war in Gaza, for the sake of its neighbors, for the sake of the average Palestinian citizen, for the sake of the average Israeli citizen, and for the sake of peace.  The vicious cycle must end, sooner than later. Destruction and depopulation of Palestinian towns and villages has been occurring over the past 60 years. 29 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilextends.html Briefing Salute to you in exile, in the refugee camps of Lebanon and Syria, in the Diaspora, in Occupied Palestine including Jerusalem and Gaza, and in Israel. It is time for a united Palestinian effort for peace. The world will struggle for Palestine only when Palestinians are united. The world will defend Palestine only when Palestinians demonstrate a united effort. Changing attitudes of Palestinians can change nothing. But attitudes towards Palestinians changing can change a lot. It is easy to judge the atrocities and fascist genocide of Israel but difficult to recognize the mistakes of Palestinians. It is easy to provide border security to Israel but difficult to ensure security for Palestinians. Palestinians must continue to seek our beloved Palestine by: Bridging gaps amongst each other and the rest of the Arab world.  Shore up support for the PLO drive and the PNA quest for a two state solution. 15 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/Messageofsecretery.html Memo Here we are to pay tribute to the resistant Palestinian people and we want to do in remembrance of the memory of Yasser Arafat, the General free people, and the people of Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Zeben, the journalist Georges Bourdoukan, the Federation Arab Palestine in Brazil and the Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee. This Congress, on the initiative of the House of Deputies, since 1979, held a formal sitting for the International Day of Solidarity to the Palestinian people, which this year will be on December the 4th, as a demonstration of our friendship and solidarity to the cause of the people. November is a month for the Palestinian people. In addition to the 29th, we still have the 11th, which is the fourth anniversary of the death of the leader Yasser Arafat and the 15th of November which is the Day the Declaration of Independence that occurred in 1988. 8 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/Messageofdeputy.html Memo President-elect Barack Obama’s defiantly positive campaign for change has inspired hope not only in the millions of Americans who voted for him, but also in the billions of others worldwide who could not. Across the Middle East, as elsewhere, expectations are building that his presidency will herald a new era for America’s role in the world.  Palestinians identify strongly with the civil rights movement in the United States. Many recall the dark days when American society enforced racial segregation. That the same society elected an African-American president only a few decades later renews Palestinian hopes that, in our ongoing struggle for justice and freedom, we, too, shall overcome. 01 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG122008.html Periodical Palestine obtained, on October 23, in meetings stimulated by BPNIC, the commitment of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to assist with peace negotiations in relation to the Right of Return of Palestinians to the Holy Land, in the conversations that will take place in November and December with president Nicolas Sarkozy, of France, and Dmitri Medvedev, of Russia. The possible role of Brazil in peace negotiations between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel was the main subject of meetings that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Minister for External Relations, Celso Amorim, had with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian government, Riad Al-Malki, during his visit to Brazil in the month of October. 24 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/Brazildefends.html Press Statement Israel is still unable to meet the Palestinians' basic human needs, and a significant part of Palestinian society continue to shelf Israeli statements as propaganda that does not respond to their aspirations to exercise their right of self-determination, BPNIC Executive Director Husam Bajis told Palestinian government officials and policy makers during a recent visit to Occupied Palestine and Israel. Despite the many Israeli promises to advance their conditions, to not distinguish people by ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality, starting from year 1967, and the Palestinian National Authority commitment to improve the situation, starting from year 1993, Palestinians living under military occupation in the West Bank, in a state of siege in the Gaza Strip, and specifically under civilian administration in Jerusalem, still struggle to exercise real control over their lives and lands. 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/Nativepalestinians.html Memo Israel has yet to change its policy on the deliberate and systematic destruction of 5,000 years of Palestinian heritage and culture, and continues to build a wall surrounding Palestinian villages and towns and saying that it is up to historians, not politicians, to discuss issues related to genocide. The wall, which is being built on 80% Palestinian land, is designed to isolate Palestinian villages in the West Bank and specifically in East Jerusalem, in turn forcing thousands to leave their homes as they would then be considered a security threat. Due to Israeli Genocide policies, poverty is approaching 60% in occupied Palestine, with as high as 80% in Gaza. 450,000 illegal Israeli settlers now live in more than 150 illegal settlements in occupied Palestine. Checkpoints and road blocks are now totaling more than 561, which is a primary tool for Israel to inflect poverty on the Palestinians and deliberately corrupting the Palestinian economy. 18 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/NoIsraeliPolicy.html Briefing According to Brazilian Ambassador Antonio Patriota’s statement at a roundtable discussion hosted by George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, on July 29th 2008, Hamas has a political wing that funds social welfare programs in the Middle East, and unlike the United States, Brazil does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. "This is something that was exhaustively examined", Mr. Patriota said. He referred to concerns of the United States as a "myth", saying the "Three Plus One" initiative that pools intelligence resources from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and the United States has turned up no evidence to support them. "It cannot be presumed and it has never been shown that any financing has gone to any military or violent initiative," he said. Furthermore, Mr. Patriota labeled as unfair assertions from some national governments and media outlets that Brazil has ungoverned space. 18 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/BrazilHamas.html Briefing Brazil sent a note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel condemning the action that kept the daughter of ambassador of Brazil Pedro Motto Pinto Coelho in Tel Aviv, arrested for about three hours in the immigration of Ben Gurion international airport in Lod-Israel, reported the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations.  The ambassador of Israel in Brasilia, Tzipora Rimon, was also called by the head of the department of the Middle East at Itamaraty, Sarkis Karmirian, to provide information on the episode. The diplomatic incident occurred in the early hours of 7/17/2008, when the ambassador's daughter, Laila Pinto Coelho, 25, was detained for investigations upon arrival in Israel for a month long visit.  After being informed of the detention, Mr. Motta came as a diplomat and asked that his daughter be freed. He was rudely received and later expelled from the room. 18 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilsent.html Briefing Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish has died after open heart surgery at 13h35 GMT, 8/9/2008. Best known for his work describing the Palestinian struggle for independence, the experience of exile and factional infighting, Mr. Darwish was a vocal critic of Israeli policy and the occupation of Palestinian lands. Last year, Darwish recited a poem damning the deadly infighting between rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah, describing it as "a public attempt at suicide in the streets". Identity Card by Mahmoud Darwish: Record! I am an Arab. And my identity card is number fifty thousand. I have eight children. And the ninth is coming after a summer. Will you be angry? Record! I am an Arab. Employed with fellow workers at a quarry. I have eight children. I get them bread. Garments and books, from the rocks.. I do not supplicate charity at your doors. Nor do I belittle myself at the footsteps of your chamber. So will you be angry? Record! I am an Arab. I have a name without a title. Patient in a country. Where people are enraged. My roots. Were entrenched before the birth of time. And before the opening of the eras. Before the pines, and the olive trees. And before the grass grew 15 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/MahmoudDarwish.html Briefing Alyan Suhayb was offered two choices. He could remain in Israeli prison, or he could be deported to Brazil. The Jerusalem man’s mother is of Brazilian nationality, but holds a Palestinian identity card. The ruling came down from the Israeli military court in Berseba. He can remain out of prison after 14 months if he agrees to leave his homeland. If he does not leave, he will be put back in Israeli prison. His brother, Husam, must stay inside. His brother, Husam, must remain behind Israeli bars breaking the hearts of the family. But the Israeli forces are not pursuing the dreams of Palestinian families. The 21 year old said, “The taste of freedom is invaluable, particularly as I did not expect to be stranded in a desert prison. But after the decision when I was walking to the Beitunia Checkpoint, the crossing gate, I expected at any moment that the gate would be slammed in my face.” He continued, “I have a lot of mixed emotions. I was not expecting to be freed, but it is not freedom.” 5 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG082008.html Periodical At the Palestinian American National Conference held in the month of June, 2008 BPNIC Executive Director addressed a dozen Palestinian politicians and activists on the committee’s strategic position in opposition to Israeli human rights abuses in Palestine. Husam Bajis, an outspoken Palestinian political analyst leading the Palestinian National Interest Committee in Brazil who advises the Brazilian Foreign Ministry on the situation in Palestine, discussed the prospects for Brazil becoming a leading nation for providing a sense of balance between Palestine and the Israelis and between Arab countries and the Israelis, the human rights abuses and military raids in Arabs towns and cities in Palestine, and the implications to world politics if a Palestinian state is not resurrected in the Middle East. 4 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/LeadingBPNIC.html Press Statement Brazil is determined to find a way towards a resolution that will end the Israeli occupation of Arab land, and continues to shore up support for a durable, negotiated land for peace deal between Palestinians and Israelis. A peace that will lead to a sovereign, democratic, cohesive and economically viable Palestinian State in the territories occupied since 1967.  Brazil, a country that has served the most number of years as an elected member of the UNSC than any other country, is capable of developing a foundation for a disengagement plan, and a proposal for abandonment of the Israeli military system and all settlements from the West Bank. Recent actions by Brazil have included the sending of a 20 person delegation to the Palestinian territories to start making real progress towards the creation of a Palestinian state, and make a real contribution towards peace in the Middle East. 30 Jul 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/PresidentLula.html Briefing In Cape Town at the Ministerial Meeting of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, May 11, 2008, the Ministers of the three nations supported negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to bring an end to the Israeli occupation. The Ministers expressed their continuing support for the Annapolis Peace Process as well as the Arab Peace Initiative, and the recent Yemeni initiative aimed at restoring Palestinian unity. The Brazilian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Celso Amorim, reiterated what was said at the Annapolis Peace Conference. 04 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/IBSAnegotiations.html Briefing During the Orthodox Easter celebrations, Palestinian Christians were denied their right to worship freely in Jerusalem; they were not allowed to arrive to the Orthodox Patriarchate where celebrations normally take place, and they were not allowed to reach the St. Jacob Cathedral near the Christian Quarter of the Old City. The Israeli police had set up barricades at the Gates of the Old City, and when Christian worshipers arrived the Israeli police started shouting at them and pushing them, and there was an incident when the police threw tear gas and beat the Christian worshipers with clubs. 22 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/BPNICdenounce.html Briefing The Brazilian Administration received with distress the news about the recent Israeli Defense Forces operations in the Gaza Strip, with at least twenty Palestinians dead, of which included civilians, five children and a press professional. The Brazilian Administration rejects the Israeli violence in Gaza, which also caused the loss of life of three Israeli soldiers, close to the kibbutz Be'eri. The Brazilian Administration reiterated the rejection to any violent actions, reported the Ministry of Foreign Relations on 4/17/2008. Brazil exhorts that all involved parties exercise moderation and the preservation of innocent civilians' life in pursuit of peace efforts, based on the understanding reached at the Annapolis Conference. 28 Apr 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/brazilianadministration.html Briefing Led by Evandro Didonet from Itamaraty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of International Negotiations, a Brazilian delegation visited Ramallah for a round of meetings with Palestinian government officials and policy makers on April 7th, 2008. Desiring to promote mutual relations and improve friendship between them, both nations determined to strengthen and develop the economic relations by allowing the Palestinian National Authority to join a free trade agreement with Mercosul. Diplomat Mufid Shami, responsible of the Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also present. Also during the Ramallah meetings, the Palestine Liberation Organization reaffirmed Palestinian interest to promote cooperation in areas which are of mutual interest by signing a free trade agreement with Mercosul. 14 Apr 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilinvitespalestinian.html Briefing I still vividly remember my father's face - wrinkled, apprehensive, warm - as he last wished me farewell fourteen years ago. He stood outside the rusty door of my family's home in a Gaza refugee camp wearing old yellow pajamas and a seemingly ancient robe. As I hauled my one small suitcase into a taxi that would take me to an Israeli airport an hour away, my father stood still. I wished he would go back inside; it was cold and the soldiers could pop up at any moment. As my car moved on, my father eventually faded into the distance, along with the graveyard, the water tower and the camp. It never occurred to me that I would never see him again. 09 Apr 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG042008.html Periodical Illegal Israeli settlement activity in and around occupied East Jerusalem has intensified following the Annapolis conference in November 2007. The Israeli government, together with settler organizations is working against the Brazilian vision supporting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in re-launching peace talks for a two state solution: The Israeli government continues to fragment Palestinian neighborhoods in and around East Jerusalem. The Israeli government restricts Palestinian development. The Israeli government blocks Palestinian nationals from access to the Old City. Brazil, in preparation for the 2007 Annapolis conference, and in support of the PLO to re-launch peace negotiations with Israel, dispatched Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to attend and deliver a document to endorse and encourage the international community, that a Palestinian State must exist and for the problems in the region to be definitely solved. 26 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/illegalisraeliactivity.html Memo Brazil continues promoting Middle East peace and dialogue and at the invitation of the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, visited Brazil March 13 and 14, 2008, and both governments reaffirmed: Are committed to the process initiated at the Annapolis Meeting to promote Middle East peace. They exchanged ideas on ways of providing support for Israeli and Palestinian efforts to realize the shared vision of two states, living side-by-side in peace and security. Their determination to maintain a strategic dialogue on global issues through biannual consultative meetings. Their intent to maintain a dialogue to address issues related to peace, security, and economic well-being in Africa and the Middle East. The importance of reform of the United Nations to make the organization better able to deal with today’s complex international agenda. Their commitment to coordinate closely on the issue of Security Council reform. The Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee has already started promoting among the Brazilian society, asking that concrete measure are taken to secure a nation for Palestinians. With the support of its members, the Committee continues to promote Brazil as key for Palestinian-Israeli peace, and promote Brazil's interests in the Middle East by urging its members to maintain contact with Members of Congress, to support important initiatives that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian State. 17 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilcontinues.html Briefing Brazil's Celso Amorim along with other Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South America and Arab countries (ASPA) gathered in Buenos Aires on 20 and 21 February 2008. ASPA member states reaffirm the need to intensify existing efforts to resume the peace process in order to reach fair, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Israeli-Arab conflict on all tracks on the basis of relevant resolutions of the Security Council and of the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as the Madrid Framework, in particular the "Land for Peace Principle", the Road Map, and the "Arab Peace Initiative" adopted at the Beirut Summit (2002), and reactivated at the Riyadh Summit (2007) and the Annapolis Conference (2007). 01 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilandmembers.html Briefing Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki sign a BPNIC fostered agreement that designates Palestine as a major Arab League ally of Brazil. The memorandum comprises one of the most comprehensive agreements ever signed between the two countries, marking a major turning point in their relations. The agreement emphasizes the importance of working together to be aware of the value of their distinctive dialogue and agree to regular discussions and periodic meetings between the presidents, between the ministers of foreign affairs, and between the council of ministers and executive committees of both nations. 21 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazil-Palestine.html Briefing For two days, the Brazilian government of President Lula, is sending Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to the occupied Palestinian city of Ramallah. Several sessions will be held from February 12th - 13th which will include Mr. Amorim, President Abbas, and several Palestinian and Brazilian congressional staffers and policy professionals. Minister Celso Amorim, following several discussions which already took place amongst Brazilian parliament leaders, will discuss ways to provide Palestinians with more opportunities for economic development while providing Israelis with security for their nation. 08 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/palestinianauthority.html Briefing BPNIC extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and committed staff of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). We mourn the loss of one of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) most passionate and thoughtful leaders, and one of Palestine's greatest statesmen. The PLO has lost a determined worker on their behalf and all Palestinians have lost one of the true enormous figures of our time. For the last three decades, Dr. George Habash was a champion for Palestinian leadership and democracy around the world, serving as a strong illustration and crusader for those who stood against oppression and injustice. As part of his enduring legacy, Dr. Habash was a committed advocate for the founding of a strong and viable Palestinian State. A nationalist icon and revolutionary, Dr. George Habash founded the PFLP in Damascus-Syria in 1967 and for several years was secretary-general of the movement, which became one of the three components of the PLO. 27 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMourns.html Press Statement The Israeli military operations in Gaza, which began at around the start of the second Palestinian uprising in September 2000, closely resemble the actions of the Zionist terrorist organization Irgune, which operated in Palestine between 1931 and 1948. Irgune, shorthand for the National Military Organization in the Land of Israel, a predecessor to today's Israeli Likud party, included attacks against Palestinians and British, and expressed the ideology that every Jew had the right to enter Palestine. 21 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/militaryoperations.html Briefing The holiday period was a time for us to take a break and express joy, and also a time of hope and assertion that a Palestinian State will be established, with its countrymen and women living in peace along side her Jewish neighbor. When we return to our place of work, let us not forget that our undertaking continues. We have a busy year ahead of us and there are many important issues that are still blocking the path to peace. 16 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICMemos/messagefrompresident.html Memo Brazil may receive a new group of Palestinian refugees in 2008, reported Agência Brasil and the Brazil-Arab News Agency. The statement was made by the president of the National Committee for Refugees, Conare, Luiz Paulo Barreto, who asserted that one of the lines of work of the committee will consist of evaluating the integration of the 108 Palestinians that arrived in Brazil last year. 16 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/Brazilmayreceive.html Briefing The signing of a free trade agreement between Mercosul and Israel and the recent contribution of R$ 5.4 million from Brazil to the Palestinian government’s economic reforms program, reinforces peace and equality in the Middle East, according to the opinion of Husam Bajis, executive director of the Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee. 27 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/mercosul-israelagreement.html Briefing Mr. Farouk Kaddoumi, Chairman of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), Secretary General of the Fatah Central Committee and head of the Political Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), reiterated in Damascus-Syria, that Palestinian Refugees' Right of Return is his top priority and key to establishing a Palestinian state, Qatar's Ash-Sharq newspaper reported on December 11, 2007. 21 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/faroukkaddoumi.html Briefing During the International Donors’ Conference for Palestine in Paris, on December 17, the delegation of Brazil, led by the Undersecretary-General for Commercial Cooperation and Promotion, Ambassador Ruy Nunes Pinto Nogueira, confirmed President Lula Da Silva's campaign in the Holy Land, and announced a contribution of US$3 million (R$ 5.4 million) in the next three years, to the Palestinian government’s economic reforms program. 19 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/congresssupportslula.html Briefing "On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the UN approved a resolution for the partition of Palestine, however this partition did not happen", stated the Speaker of the House, Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP), Agência Câmara reported. The UN, according to Mr. Chinaglia, has the commitment to create a Palestinian State, since Israel has already been constituted. 14 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/BPNICBriefings/speakerofthehouse.html Briefing Like their Muslim compatriots, Palestinian Christians living under Israeli occupation in occupied Eastern Jerusalem are being harmed due to Israel's Jewish majority policy. The Israeli government has a policy of maintaining the Jewish majority in occupied Eastern Jerusalem by a ratio of 73.5% to 26.5%, which is threatening Palestinian Christians existence in the city. 11 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/BG122007.html Periodical Allow me Mr. President to thank you in my capacity as Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole representative of the Palestinian people, and on behalf of the Palestinian people, for inviting us to this international conference. This conference symbolizes the crystallization of the entire world’s will in its march towards achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in our region and in bringing long-anticipated justice to our country where oppression, wars, occupation and violence have prevailed in the previous decades. 10 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/statementannapolis.html Memo The Department of State on Wednesday, November 21 2007, announced that it is dispatching Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to the US-hosted peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland on November 27, the Agence France-Presse reported. The announcement by the Department of State follows weeks of discussions amongst Brazilian leaders including House Representatives Vieira da Cunha, Aldo Rebelo and Nilson Mourão. 23 Nov 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/celsoamorimtoattend.html Briefing Statement by H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, President of the Palestinian National Authority before the United Nations General Assembly, Sixty-second Session, New York, 28 September 2007. 16 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/statementmahmoudabbas.html Memo The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) in Jerusalem has reported on September 23rd 2007 that Israel has stopped issuing re-entry visas to Christian ministers. HCEF also reported that Rev. Fares Khleifat, a Christian minister and the only Greek Melkite priest in Ramallah, was deported on September 14, 2007. 1 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/israeldeportschristians.html Briefing During the second Seminar jointly organized by Brazil and Norway on the subject of Peace and Reconciliation, in Oslo, September 14, 2007; Brazil continued its efforts to facilitate the Palestinians quest for having a state of their own. Minister Celso Amorim of Brazil discussed ways to provide Palestinians with more opportunities for economic development while providing Israelis with security for their nation. Mr. Amorim expressed with grave concern to the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict represents an important unsolved Question to the Brazilian people as well as the rest of the world. 24 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/braziltakesthequestion.html Press Statement The Brazilian government of President Lula Da Silva decided to step up its campaign in the Holy Land by appointing a new ambassador to Palestine. Ligia Maria Scherer will be the next head of the Brazilian representative in Ramallah and will assume responsibilities in the month of October. 16 Sep 2007 23:59:55 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/lulasgovernmentcontinues.html Briefing BPNIC Executive Director, Husam Bajis during the month of August toured the state of Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte meeting with Palestinian-Brazilian owned companies in order to establish relations with U.S. based industries and begin export. 16 Sep 2007 23:59:55 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/bpnicdirectorsmeets.html Briefing The Brazilian government received with satisfaction the news of release of 255 Palestinian prisoners by the government of Israel, on July 20th. The Brazilian government believes that gestures of this nature will contribute to create a long-lasting atmosphere for mutual confidence. Brazil also expresses its expectation that an environment favoring dialogue will contribute to improve life conditions of the Palestinian people and to permanently cease attacks against the Israeli population. 27 Jul 2007 00:03:04 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/brazilwants.html Briefing The government in Israel and their army which still refuse to make a compromise for peace and allow Palestinians to exist in a nation of their own have increased their indiscriminate attacks against Palestinian nationals. Israel, a country with no written constitution and whose nuclear weapons are undeclared, during the past several weeks have indiscriminately fired weapons that have hit private homes and infrastructure, killing dozens including eleven children in the month of June, as reported by the PLO National and International Relations Department. 8 Jul 2007 23:59:55 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/israeliattacks.html Memo The Brazilian Palestinian National Interest Committee (BPNIC) applauds Administration approval for the passing of the resolution on resettlement of Palestinian refugees from Iraq. The transfer includes an estimated 100 refugees, of which two families will be settled in Sao Paulo, while eighteen families will go to Rio Grande do Sul. 9 Jul 2007 00:00:40 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/bpnicapplaudslula.html Press Statement BPNIC applauds the announcement made on June 13, 2007 from the Brazilian Government dispatching a strong statement to the Palestinians urging them to maintain the Palestinian national unity government. Making this statement at this time is especially vital, as the Palestinians are going through a domestic struggle due to an economic embargo supported by Israel. 9 Jul 2007 00:01:57 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/publications/bpnicapplaudsbrazils.html Press Statement After the 40 years following Israel’s annexation of Palestinian lands, more Brazilian’s have placed their sympathy with the Palestinians than with Israel, according to a BBC World Service public opinion poll. The poll indicated a high percentage of Brazilians view Israel influence quite negatively. 72% of Brazilians view Israel’s influence as negative. 9 Jul 2007 00:01:30 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/brazilpublicopinionpoll.html Briefing After living under forced Israeli poverty for 12 years, two teenage Palestinian boys having the same age died of wounds they received from bullets that struck them in their bodies as they were scavenging metal to sell for food for their families in Gaza, the Palestine News Agency reported. The world’s fourth largest military power, which is controlled by the Israeli government and which have killed more then 2,000 children in the past six years alone, has launched most of the operations in the Palestinian territories in the past two weeks in Gaza, killing dozens of Palestinians and terrorizing the city of Gaza. 9 Jul 2007 00:02:33 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/Palestinianteenagers.html Briefing The Brazilian Government on May 25th received with concern news about the detention of Palestinian authorities and parliamentarians by Israeli Defense Forces, in operations carried out in Gaza and the West Bank. Brazil calls on Israel for their liberation, which would represent a significant contribution for the gradual easiness of the tension in the region and could facilitate the restarting of the peace process. 9 Jul 2007 00:03:04 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/brazilconcern.html Briefing Brazil on Friday May 18th renewed its confidence in the formation of the new Palestinian national unity government. The new Palestinian National Authority (PNA) government can contribute to the cooling off of tensions and internal disputes amongst the Palestinians and facilitate the desired normalization of relations between the PNA and the international community. 9 Jul 2007 00:03:04 GMT http://www.bpnic.org/Brazilrenewsconfidence.html Briefing