Among the various schools of thought in international relations, one of them, constructivism, speaks of linguistic change, i.e. the change in the discourse of political actors in the face of international events. Perhaps this is the best concept to explain the context that currently prevails for Brazilian diplomacy under the country’s presidency United Nations Security Councilin light of the latest events in Gaza Strip is at Israel.
Historical defender of the existence of two states, one Palestinian and one Israeli, as a solution to an equally historic conflict, Brazil has always positioned itself in its renowned diplomacy based on pragmatic and equidistant principles, with rare exceptions, for example in the governments of Janio Quadros It is Jair BolsonaroPoints outside the curve that were corrected by his successors.
Home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their descendants, Jews, Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians, Brazil has in recent decades built a foreign policy that promotes mutual understanding and dialogue as the only path to peace between the two peoples. In previous presidencies, Lula received and visited the heads of state and government of Israel and the Palestinian authorities, and his foreign ministers made several visits to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah and even Gaza, now the center of the conflict.
Palestinians search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli attack in response to the Hamas offensive. Photo: AP Photo/Fatima Shbair
When Brazil took over the temporary presidency of the United Nations Security Council, it moved away from it War in Ukrainea sensitive and controversial issue for Itamaraty, and set other issues as a priority, such as international migration and Political tensions in Haiti. Little did I know that a week later I would be provoked to take a stand against Israel and the state of war declared by the Israeli prime minister following the invasion of Gaza by Hamas forces with the support of the Palestinian government. Benjamin Netanyahuimmediately after the first rockets hit his country.
This will be the first acid test for Brazilian diplomacy under President Lula’s third government, which is currently trying to build bridges and restore political and commercial relations with its former partners. Although the plans of Netanyahu, now seen as an authoritarian and farright leader, and Lula are dissonant, Brasília, like Washington and Brussels, is under pressure to adopt a dialoguefriendly tone that both sides must give in to. All in all, no one wants a new war zone with the invasion of external powers such as Russia and China or the presence of Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in a conflict that has already escalated this Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether the change in the discourse of Brazilian diplomacy will occur in time to prevent a new war in an increasingly realistic world. If it passes this test, the new government will indeed be entitled to take major steps, including claiming a permanent seat on the Security Council and as a legitimate mediator for other conflicts, whether in Ukraine, Karabakh or another part of the country World. more tense international system.
* Roberto Uebel has a doctorate in international strategic studies and is Professor of International Relations at ESPM.