CEO Wants Lula to Visit Israel, Says He Wants the President There
In a São Paulo press conference on March 12, 2024, David Cohen, CEO of Israel Brasil Network, said he wanted Brazilian President Lula to join him on a trip to Israel. The statement highlights the growing influence of pro‑Israel lobby groups in Brazil and their efforts to shape the country’s foreign policy amid a historic thaw between Brazil and Israel. Cohen’s comments come as Brazil’s diplomatic ties with Israel are being reassessed after years of strained relations. The move could signal a new chapter in Brazilian‑Israeli cooperation.
What Happened: David Cohen’s Call for Lula to Visit Israel
On March 12, 2024, David Cohen addressed reporters in São Paulo, saying, ‘Queria que Lula fosse comigo a Israel.’ The CEO of Israel Brasil Network, a nonprofit that promotes Israel‑Brazil business ties, outlined a planned itinerary that would include a visit to the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. Cohen claimed that the trip would allow Lula to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss trade agreements, technology exchanges
Despite Israel’s reputation as a high‑tech hub, more than 30 % of its agritech patents are owned by Brazilian researchers collaborating through joint university programs.
