A historic visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Brazil scheduled for this weekend is now in question following the coalition's decision to call early elections on April 9.
Netanyahu had been scheduled to fly to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night for what was to have been the first-ever trip by a sitting Israeli prime minister to the South American country.
Now, according to the Prime Minister's Office, the trip is likely to be cut short and possibly canceled altogether.
Brazil, the world's ninth largest economy, has for decades been governed by pro-Arab regimes that have avoided developing ties with Israel.
Israeli officials are looking forward to forging closer ties with Brazil once pro-Israel President-elect Jair Bolsonaro takes office on Jan. 1. Known for his politically incorrect style, Bolsonaro has said he intends to move his country's embassy to Jerusalem and close the Palestinian Embassy in Brazil.
Although he has yet to officially take office, Bolsonaro's impact has already been felt in the country's foreign policy. On Dec. 9, Brazil departed from its decades-old stance of voting against Israel at the United Nations by voting in support of a U.S.-sponsored text condemning Hamas aggression against Israel.
Officials said that while Netanyahu still intends to depart Israel on Thursday night, it is unclear how long he will remain in Brazil.
Netanyahu has been scheduled to attend Bolsonaro's inauguration ceremony in Brasilia on Tuesday.
He is also scheduled to meet with Bolsonaro, as well as with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, with whom he is expected to discuss the recently announced U.S. withdrawal from Syria.
In addition, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella and State Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao, and to hold meetings with the local Jewish and Evangelical Christian communities and give interviews to local media outlets.
Netanyahu's wife, Sara, will accompany him.
Bolsonaro is commonly referred to as "the Brazilian Trump" for his more conservative leanings and politically incorrect style.
Bolsonaro's son Eduardo is also known for his pro-Israel stance and for his frequent calls for Brazil to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's official capital.
Rabbi Eliezer Stauber, the religious leader of the Kehilat Yaacov Synagogue in Rio's Copacabana's neighborhood, is set to host Netanyahu during his official visit.
"For us, this is a historic event. It is the first time a sitting prime minister will visit the country and has been officially invited by Brazil. It's a special kind of excitement," he said.
Netanyahu on Monday announced early elections for April 9, setting the stage for a three-month campaign clouded by a series of corruption investigations against the long-serving Israeli leader.
The general elections were not due to be held until November.
