The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern and condemnation of the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the extremist Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Foreign Ministry demanded in a press statement: “Respect for the arrangements made by the Hashemite Custodianship (the Kingdom of Jordan) of the Holy Land, which is responsible for managing the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.”

She explained that “the measures that encourage changing the status of the holy sites in Jerusalem constitute a violation of the commitments to care for mutual understanding, tolerance and peace.”

 She stressed that "Brazil renews its commitment to the two-state solution, where Palestine and Israel live together in peace and security within internationally agreed and recognized borders," according to the statement. 

The press release from the Brazilian Foreign Ministry reflects a change in the tone promised by the new Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, for his country’s foreign policy, after years of public support for Israel under the leadership of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

It is noteworthy that the new Brazilian President, Da Silva, took the constitutional oath before Congress (Parliament) on January 1st, to begin his third presidential term.