Arab and Islamic Leaders Welcome Brazil's Lula Amid Rifts With Israel
Brazil's President Lula da Silva received widespread congratulations from Arab and Islamic leaders, contrasting with strained ties with Israel over his remarks on the Gaza Strip.
The election victory of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has drawn widespread praise across the Arab and Islamic world, with regional leaders eager to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with the South American power.
Prominent figures, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, were among the first to send formal congratulatory messages, emphasizing historical relations and shared interests.
In Cairo, President el-Sisi expressed hope that Lula's term would bring prosperity to the Brazilian people, while Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas praised Brazil's historic positions in support of Palestinian rights. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent an official message expressing hope for expanded friendly relations between Tehran and Brasilia.
These warm reactions follow a turbulent period in relations between Brazil and Israel. During his previous tenure and public statements, Lula strongly criticized Israel over its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, drawing comparisons to historical atrocities that led Jerusalem to declare him persona non grata.
