Brazil honors diplomat who presided over 1947 UN partition vote

RIO DE JANEIRO — Several Jewish and non-Jewish officials attend events to honor the memory of the Brazilian diplomat who played a crucial role in the creation of the State of Israel 70 years ago.

Oswaldo Aranha, a former president of the United Nations General Assembly who presided over the meeting held on November 29, 1947, supported and heavily lobbied for the majority in favor of the resolution that partitioned the British Mandate of Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab. For his efforts, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1948.

“We are very proud that it was a Brazilian in that role. We honor the memorable chancellor Aranha for having allowed the Jewish people to make our millennial dream come true,” said Rio Jewish federation President Herry Rosenberg during a ceremony on Wednesday at Rio’s largest synagogue, the 1,000-family Reform temple ARI.

— JTA