Netanyahu congratulates Brazil presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on first election round

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, congratulating him on his first-round election success and his party's parliamentary gains. Netanyahu invited Bolsonaro to visit Israel, and Bolsonaro extended an invitation to Netanyahu to visit Brazil. The Prime Minister's Office stated the two intend to renew the deep friendship between the countries as part of Israel's strengthening ties with South America.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Thursday night, congratulating him on his success in the first round of Brazil's presidential election and on his party's gains in parliament. Netanyahu invited Bolsonaro to visit Israel, and Bolsonaro extended an invitation to Netanyahu to visit Brazil. The Prime Minister's Office said the two intend to renew the deep friendship between the countries, as part of a transformation in Israel's relations with South American countries and the strengthening of ties Netanyahu is leading with leaders across the continent. The conversation, described as extremely warm, was also attended by Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flavio's brother and adviser. Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff later this month, after exceeding expectations in the first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent. The election centered around the cost of living, corruption, and insecurity in Brazilians' daily lives, and follows a string of wins across Latin America by right-wing parties aligned with US President Donald Trump.