Brazil Recognizes Palestine

Outgoing Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, who has done wonders for Brazil since taking office, made recognizing Palestine one of his last presidential acts. There are now 100 countries that recognize Palestine including the emerging economies of China, India, Brazil as well as Russia, all Arab states, and most African states. It’s time the US recognize that the Israeli lobby is not Israel’s best friend and stop allowing it to prolong the status quo of occupation, dispossession, displacement, and illegal settlements – precisely the barriers against peace. Peace is within reach if the US exercises leadership in recognizing a sovereign and secure Palestine along a sovereign and secure Israel.