Lula calls for a “viable Palestinian state” and for BRICS countries to act for peace

This Tuesday (21), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated in the Brics Extraordinary Virtual Summit. In his speech, the president highlighted the call for peace in the conflict between Israel and Palestine and condemned, once again, the Hamas attacks on October 7, highlighting that the acts that started the war do not justify the use of disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians as was seen later. Furthermore, he called for the release of all hostages immediately and spoke about the need for reform in the UN Security Council.

“On several occasions, we have reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. However, such barbaric acts do not justify the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate force against civilians. We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe. The innocent pay the price for the insanity of war, especially women, children and the elderly”, said Lula.

Papel dos Brics

To Brics, a group made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which from 2024 will have 11 members with the accession of Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Lula reinforced the contribution that must be used to resolve the conflict.

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“We must act to prevent the war from spreading to neighboring countries. The contribution of Brics, in its new configuration, together with all actors in favor of self-restraint and de-escalation is valuable and essential,” he said.

Solution

During the meeting, the Brazilian president drew attention to irregular Israeli settlements in the West Bank and stated that the solution to ending the war is the recognition of the Palestinian State with respect to its borders and an Israeli State with secure borders.

“Recognition of a viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel, with secure and mutually recognized borders, is the only possible solution. We need to resume the peace process between Israel and Palestine as soon as possible,” he said.

HIM

Lula lamented the deaths caused by the conflict, which have already killed 12 thousand people, including 5 thousand children, in addition to 29 thousand injured and 3,750 missing. The consternation is due to the fact that the UN Security Council approved a resolution only 40 days after the aggressions began.

“Brazil spared no efforts in favor of dealing with the humanitarian emergency, containing the current escalation and resuming a lasting solution to the conflict. We proposed a Resolution that had the support of the majority of members, but which unfortunately was vetoed by one of the permanent members. The Council’s paralysis is yet another demonstration of the urgency of its reform”, he pointed out.

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However, he emphasized that now – with the resolution approved on November 15th focusing on child protection, proposed by Malta and supported by Brazil – the humanitarian truce is immediate and lasting.

*With information from Planalto and Agência Brasil