Brazil adopts free trade agreement with Palestinian Authority

Brazil has adopted a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority, in a show of support for the Palestinian people.

"The agreement is a concrete contribution to an economically viable Palestinian state, which can live peacefully and harmoniously with its neighbours," Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The statement said that Brazil, which recognised a Palestinian state and allowed a Palestinian embassy to be built in its capital in 2010, ratified an agreement between the Mercosur trade bloc in South America and the PA, which had been signed in 2011.

It is not yet clear whether other Mercosur members will follow Brazil's lead. It is highly unlikely that Argentina's far-right government of President Javier Milei will adopt the agreement. 

Palestinian ambassador in Brasilia, Ibrahim al-Zeben, called the decision "courageous, supportive and timely".