Netanyahu hails ‘new era’ with Brazil

Brazil, he said, “is an immense country with enormous potential for Israel from an economic, security and diplomatic point of view.”

He added: “We are happy to be able to start a new era between Israel and a great power called Brazil.”

His visit includes a day off on Saturday to observe Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.

Netanyahu is to fly back to Israel early on January 2, an Israeli official said.

The Israeli prime minister also serves as his country’s foreign minister. Last year he visited Argentina, Colombia and Mexico.