July 14, 2025
The decision consolidates the position against Netanyahu’s actions; the foreign minister says relations with the country should be minimal
Brazil will join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel for genocide against the Palestinian people before the United Nations International Court of Justice. Brazil will join the proceedings as a third party. The decision coincides with the institutional actions of the Brazilian government, which is critical of Israel’s position.
In an interview with Al Jazeera during the BRICS Summit, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira announced that Brazil would sign on to South Africa’s lawsuit against Israeli genocide and stated that Brazil had attempted to take institutional steps, but without success. “We made enormous efforts to call for negotiations. The latest developments in the war led us to the decision to join South Africa at the International Court,” the foreign minister said.
The Israeli response against the Palestinian people, which has continued since the attacks of October 7, 2023, has already killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the local Ministry of Health, a figure that researchers say is greatly underestimated.
After two weeks of conflict with Iran, Israel returned its focus to the front lines in Gaza and has carried out new attacks against the Palestinian people, including bombings in civilian areas and attacks on humanitarian aid zones.
Last week, South Africa filed a new lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging that just when we think it is impossible the Netanyahu government has escalated the confrontation to a new and terrible phase. Israel continues to maintain that its actions comply with international law.
Movements in the country has urged Brazil to formally participate in the process to hold Israel accountable for the massacre perpetrated by its forces. In addition to signing the complaint, Brazil is expected to reject the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador and to “minimize its relations and be very strict with the free trade agreement, perhaps even suspending it,” according to Celso Amorim, former foreign minister and international affairs adviser to Lula, in an interview with Folha de S. Paulo.