Brazil supports South Africa’s complaint against Israel

Brazil has voiced its support for South Africa’s complaint against Israel, which was filed on December 29, 2023, at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

This support was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release shortly after President Lula met with the Palestinian ambassador to Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, to discuss the situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Today (Jan. 11), the International Court of Justice will commence hearings on South Africa’s complaint, which accuses Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

In the more than three months since the conflict between Israel and Palestine began on October 7, 2023, with attacks by the Hamas group against Israeli and foreign civilians, the Israeli response has resulted in over 23,000 deaths in Gaza, with the majority being women and children.

“In light of the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, President Lula expressed his support for South Africa’s initiative. This initiative aims to bring an action before the International Court of Justice to order Israel to immediately cease all acts and measures that may constitute genocide or related crimes in terms of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” says the note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting with the Palestinian ambassador, President Lula emphasized his personal efforts, alongside other heads of state and government, to achieve a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and establish humanitarian corridors for the protection of civilians. He also highlighted Brazil’s role in the UN Security Council’s efforts to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry noted.

“The Brazilian government reiterates its commitment to a two-state solution, with an economically viable Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders, including the Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the ministry’s statement reads.