The Senate held, on Wednesday (14), a special session to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel. The Israeli ambassador to Brazil, Tzipora Rimon, and the president of the Senate, Garibaldi Alves Filho, attended the meeting. In her speech, the ambassador said that this celebration is linked with the historical session of the United Nations (UN), presided by the Brazilian diplomat Oswaldo Aranha, which, in 1947, approved the creation of the new state.

Senator Adelmir Santana (DEM-DF), the first senator to request the homage, made references in his speech to Oswaldo Aranha. He reminded that the Brazilian was one of the four Latin-American diplomats to conduct the negotiations at the UN, in November 1947, which resulted in the division of Palestine’s territory, between Arabs and Jews, in the following year.

During that session of the UN, by Oswaldo Aranha’s side were Enrique Fabregat, from Uruguay; Jorge Garcia Granados, from Guatemala; and Arturo Garcia Salazar, from Peru. The creation of Israel was approved by 33 favorable votes, 13 contrary and 10 abstentions, reminded the senator.

- That session in 1947, presided by the Brazilian Oswaldo Aranha, was memorable – declared Adelmir Santana.

Senator Francisco Dornelles (PP-RJ) also participated in Israel’s homage, stating that in the Rio de Janeiro state, which elected him, the Jewish community is very traditional. In his speech, he highlighted the resistance of Jews against persecution.

- This is why German’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, on March 18, declared, speaking at Israel’s Parliament, that the “assassination of six million Jews, made in the name of Germany, brought indescribable suffering to the Jewish people, to Europe and the whole world. The holocaust fills the Germans with shame”. 

Jewish contribution to science and philosophy, as well as in the arts field, were highlighted by senator Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF). He reminded that the only thing still missing is peace, what depends not only on Israel, but also on the Palestinians.  

Senator Marcelo Crivela (PRB-RJ) informed that he has visited Israel on more than 30 occasions, and that he received assistance from agronomists and hydrologists from Israel to implement the project of Nova Canaã farm, in Bahia.

Senator Mão Santa (PMDB-PI) reminded the history of the “people blessed by God” in his speech.