State of Palestine

Relations between Brazil and Palestine dates back to 1975, when the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as a national liberation movement, was authorized to appoint a representative in Brasilia. In 1993, Brazil authorized the establishment of a special Palestinian delegation in Brasilia, and its status was elevated to that of an embassy in 1998. In 2004, the Representative Office of Brazil in Ramallah was opened.

In December 2010, Brazil recognized the State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, which includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, Brazil co-sponsored and campaigned in favor of Resolution 67/19, which upgraded Palestine’s status to a non-member observer state of the United Nations in 2012. Brazil has consistently supported Palestine's participation in multilateral organizations, endorsing its accession to UNESCO in 2011 and continuing to support its bid for full membership in the United Nations.

Brazil and Palestine established a political consultation mechanism in 2008, under which four meetings have been held: in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2017.

The Brazilian government has traditional humanitarian cooperation established with Palestine. Since 2007, it has allocated more than $23 million to initiatives of this kind, through the donation of resources, medicines, food, among others, in particular  to the Palestinian Authority, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and to the UN World Food Program (WFP). In 2014, Brazil became a member of the Advisory Commission (AdCom) of UNRWA, the highest intergovernmental body of the Agency. It is the only Latin American country in the body. Brazil assumed one of the vice-presidencies for the first time in July 2024.

In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $34.2 million (a 5.5% increase compared to 2023). Brazilian exports accounted for the largest share of this value ($33.9 million). Imports totaled $304,000. The trade balance for Brazil was $33.9 million.

Brazil upholds its historical commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with an independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2024 – Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira visits Palestine

Brazil assumes one of the vice-presidencies of the UNRWA Advisory Commission

2023 – Foreign Minister Riad Malki visits Brazil on the occasion of the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

2018 – Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira visits Palestine

2017 – Health Minister Ricardo Barros visits Palestine

The Speaker  of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, visits Palestine

2015 – Foreign Minister Riad Malki visits Brazil on the occasion of the inauguration of President Dilma Rousseff

The Speaker  of the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Cunha, visits Palestine

2014 – Brazil becomes a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission

2012 – Foreign Minister Antônio de Aguiar Patriota visits Palestine

Fatah's Commissioner for International Relations, Nabil Shaath visits Brazil

The Minister of Labor of Palestine, Ahmed Majdalani, visits Brazil

Vice President Michel Temer visits Palestine

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha visits Palestine

2011 – President Mahmoud Abbas visits Brazil  on the occasion of the inauguration of President Dilma Rousseff

The MERCOSUR-Palestine Free Trade Agreement is signed in Montevideo

With Brazil’s support and co-sponsorship, the United Nations General Assembly approves Resolution 67/19, which elevates Palestine's status in the United Nations to a non-member Observer State

2010 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits  Palestine

Fatah's Commissioner for International Relations, Nabil Shaath, visits  Palestine

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits  Palestine

IBSA ministers’ meeting is held in Brasilia, with the presence of Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki

Brazil recognizes the State of Palestine

The Palestinian Special Delegation in Brasilia is now called the Embassy of the State of Palestine

2009 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visits Brazil

2008 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits Palestine

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki visits Brazil

2005 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits Palestine

President Mahmoud Abbas visits Brazil for the 1st South American–Arab Countries (ASPA) Summit

2004 – Opening of the Brazilian Representative Office in Ramallah

1998 – The status of the Special Palestinian Delegation is elevated to that of an embassy

1995 – Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian National Authority and leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, visits Brazil

1993 – Brazil authorizes the opening of the Special Palestinian Delegation in Brasília, with diplomatic status equivalent to that of an international organization

1975 – Relations between Brazil and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are established which is authorized to designate a representative in Brasilia