Petista expected to welcome the repatriates at the Brasília air base on Sunday, but the date is now uncertain
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) was preparing to hold a public event on Sunday (12.Nov.2023) to welcome the 24 Brazilians and 10 Palestinian family members who are in the Gaza Strip. The idea was to welcome everyone at the Brasília air base, take photos and promote it widely in the media.
It turns out that the group’s departure has been postponed and there is no longer a specific date for their return. The southern border of the Gaza Strip with Egypt was closed this Friday (10.Nov.2023). Thus, the plans of the Brazilian government were frustrated, which has already made a Brazilian Air Force plane available to carry out the repatriation from Egypt.
Lula and Brazilian diplomacy have made efforts to release the Brazilians in Gaza, but have repeatedly failed. The relationship between Brazil and Israel has not been very friendly since the beginning of the conflict, when Lula did not immediately condemn Hamas for the October 7 attacks. Members of the PT government and the PT often speak of “genocide” and criticize the military response that Israel gave after being attacked.
Since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, on October 7, 2023, Brazil has already carried out 8 repatriation flights for Brazilians who were in Israel. None of the arrivals were attended by Lula. In total, 1,410 Brazilians and 53 pets were brought to Brazil.
Here is the list of FAB flights bringing Brazilians from Israel:
Source: https://www.poder360.com.br/internacional/lula-recebera-brasileiros-que-estavam-na-faixa-de-gaza/
