World
Brazil to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ
The country’s foreign ministry said it ‘cannot remain inactive’ in the face of ‘ongoing atrocities’
July 24, 2025 09:38
The country’s foreign ministry said it ‘cannot remain inactive’ in the face of ‘ongoing atrocities’
July 24, 2025 09:38Brazil’s foreign ministry has confirmed it will be joining South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to secure a verdict of genocide against the Jewish State.
The department said it was in the “final stages” of submitting its official application to the court, accusing the IDF of committing “atrocities” in Gaza.
"The Brazilian government announces that it is in the final stages of submitting a formal intervention in the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice, brought by South Africa under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” read a ministry statement, adding: “The Brazilian government expresses deep indignation at the recurring episodes of violence against the civilian population in the State of Palestine, not limited to the Gaza Strip but extending to the West Bank.
"The international community cannot remain inactive in the face of ongoing atrocities. Brazil believes there is no longer room for moral ambiguity or political omission.
"Impunity undermines international legality and undermines the credibility of the multilateral system.”
Brasília has been increasingly vocal in its criticism of Israel during the war, with the government condemning what it called “recurring episodes of violence” and the “shameless use of starvation as a weapon of war”.
The election of veteran socialist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2023, replacing right-wing populist and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro, saw a marked shift in the country’s approach to Middle East policy.
Lula, as he is commonly known, has previously voiced allegations of genocide, including during a summit for the so-called Brics countries earlier this month.
Responding to the announcement, Israel’s embassy in Brazil said that the foreign ministry’s “harsh words that do not fully portray the reality of what is currently happening in Gaza” and claimed that it had “completely ignored” the role of Hamas in instigating and perpetuating the conflict.
Brazil’s application comes after similar moves were made by Turkey, Spain and the Republic of Ireland in recent months.
Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide and the weaponisation of aid.
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