World leaders denounce genocide and press by Palestinian state

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on Monday (22) as “genocide” Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip during a speech at the International High Level Conference for the peaceful solution of Palestine’s issue, convened by France and Saudi Arabia at the UN in New York. The event takes place on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly and was summoned in an explicit support movement to the Palestinian cause.

Lula criticized the indiscriminate attacks on civilians, noting that more than 50,000 children were hit, 90% of the destroyed Palestinian homes and the hunger used as a weapon of war. The president stressed that while condemning Hamas terrorism, the right to defense does not justify civil slaughter.

“What is happening in Gaza is not only the extermination of the Palestinian people, but an attempt to annihilage their nation dream,” said Lula.

President Lula represents Brazil, accompanied by chancellor Mauro Vieira and ministers. Since 1955, Brazil opens the speeches of the UN General Debate, and Lula is expected to climb to Tribuna on Tuesday (23), shortly after Secretary General António Guterres.

International Conference in Defense of the Solution of Two States

The meeting brought together leaders from various nations to discuss the peaceful coexistence between a Palestinian state and the state of Israel. France, Portugal, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia formalized the recognition of the Palestinian state, while the United States and Israel boycotted the meeting. Other European countries, such as France, Luxembourg, Malta and Belgium, should follow the same way during the meeting.

Currently, 143 of the 193 UN Member States already recognize Palestine. The adhesion of western Western countries Washington allied marks a divider of diplomatic waters.

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the urgency of ceasing immediate fire, freedom of hostages and political dismantling of Hamas and renewal of the Palestinian Authority. According to him, the recognition of the Palestinian state is a way of reaffirming that the Palestinian people have the right to self -determination.

“Nothing more justifies the continuation of war in Gaza. On the contrary, everything requires that it is definitely closed,” said Macron.

According to the Elisha Palace, Paris sees in the recognition of Palestine the only way to preserve the viability of the solution of two states.

For Portugal, which also officialized recognition, it is “a necessary step for peace”. Chancellor Paulo Rangel stated in New York: “It’s time, more than time, to take the necessary steps for peace.”

Saudi Arabia, in turn, seeks to establish itself as an articulator of regional consensus. The country stressed that Hamas should not play in the future Palestinian state.

Diplomatic impasse and international pressure

The absence of the United States and Israel highlights a political impasse. Netanyahu reaffirmed that there will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River and announced expansion of colonization in the West Bank, classifying international recognition as “reward for terrorism.”

Analysts point out that the formal recognition of Palestine, although symbolic, strengthens the international legitimacy of Palestinian authority and increases pressure on Israel. In Europe, political and civilian movements also ask for sanctions and suspension of commercial agreements in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Nevertheless, analysts see in the gesture of France, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia a diplomatic defeat for Israel. For Hamas, the movement is considered a symbolic victory.

Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on International Relations states that “recognition reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self -determination and provides formal privileges to Palestinian diplomats, even if it has no immediate effect on the ground.”

Humanitarian and political context

The Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has left about 65,000 dead – most civilians, according to UN numbers, is pointed out as a decisive factor for the change of posture in European countries. Manifestations in capital such as Paris have been pressing governments for economic sanctions against Israel and the immediate end of bombing.

The Brazilian government, along with other European countries, argues that the creation of two states is the only way to lasting peace, while Israel maintains the narrative of national defense and denies any negotiation involving the creation of a Palestinian state.

Although recognitions have no immediate effect on daily life in Gaza and Blook, diplomats evaluate that they raise the prestige of Palestinian authority and increase Israel’s isolation. The European Union also discusses sanctions against extreme right Israeli ministers and restrictions on settlement products in the West Bank.

The conference should continue by the end of the day, consolidating the largest coordinated movement of Palestine recognition by Western countries since the creation of the UN.