The son of Brazil’s former president made a high-profile visit to Israel, signaling continuity with his father’s pro-Israel and right-wing political path.
Flavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Israel this week as part of a politically symbolic visit ahead of Brazil’s expected presidential elections in October. Bolsonaro is widely seen as a leading right-wing contender and is positioning himself as the political heir to his father’s movement.
During his visit, Bolsonaro toured Mount Carmel, where he referenced the biblical confrontation between the Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal — a narrative often emphasized by religious conservatives as a struggle between truth and corruption. He later visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where he declared his intention to continue his father’s path and vowed to work toward what he described as “saving Brazil.”
Jair Bolsonaro, a staunch supporter of Israel, served as Brazil’s president until 2022, when elections were won by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a figure widely regarded as hostile toward Israel. Jair Bolsonaro was recently convicted over allegations of attempting a coup and sentenced to a lengthy prison term — a move his supporters claim was politically motivated.
