Brazil intends to formally request the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to participate in the proceedings in South Africa’s case against Israel.
South Africa filed the case in 2023, accusing Israel of violating the provisions of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
According to the statement, Israel’s military actions in the conflict with Hamas go beyond the fight against militants and result in numerous casualties among the civilian population, including in schools, hospitals, camps and shelters.
A number of other countries, including Spain, Turkey and Colombia, have also expressed their desire to join the case. In their statement, the Brazilian authorities accused Israel of violations of international law, including “annexation of territory by force,” and expressed “deep outrage” at the civilian casualties.
Israel categorically rejects accusations of deliberate strikes against civilians, stressing that its goal is solely to destroy Hamas. Israeli lawyers called South Africa’s lawsuit “an abuse of the Genocide Convention.”
According to UN experts, Israel’s actions in Gaza are leading to the “destruction” of the civilian population, including those sheltering in schools.
The Israeli embassy in Brazil called the wording used in the Brazilian statement “harsh” and not reflecting the real situation in Gaza, and also noted that Brazil had completely ignored Hamas’ role in the conflict.
The National Israeli Confederation of Brazil (CONIB) said that Brazil’s decision undermines its long-standing partnership with Israel and signals a radicalisation of the country’s foreign policy.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has long criticised Israeli actions in Gaza. His decision to support South Africa’s lawsuit takes on particular significance amid growing tensions with the United States, a key ally of Israel. This month, the Trump administration announced 50% tariffs on all Brazilian exports.
A source close to Lula’s government told Reuters that Brazil does not expect its relations with Washington to deteriorate because of its position on the case.
The US, under both President Biden and Trump, has opposed South Africa’s lawsuit. In February, the Trump administration cut financial aid to South Africa, citing in part the proceedings at the ICJ.
