Brazil President
By Chris Williams
Brazil Announces Intention to Join South Africa’s ICJ Case Against Israel Over Alleged Genocide in Gaza. The foreign ministry in Brasilia revealed on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, that the country is in the final phase of presenting a formal intervention in the high-profile case before the International Court of Justice, where Israel faces accusations of committing genocide during its military operations in the Palestinian territory. This move adds to growing international pressure on Israel amid reports of widespread civilian suffering, including chronic food shortages and indiscriminate attacks that have claimed thousands of lives since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
Brazil’s decision underscores a shift in global sentiment, with several nations stepping forward to support South Africa’s bold legal challenge. As the death toll in Gaza surpasses 39,000, including over 16,000 children, and with warnings of mass starvation echoing from aid organisations, this intervention highlights the urgent call for accountability under international law. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions, has repeatedly labelled the offensive as genocide, urging the world to act against what he sees as blatant violations of human rights.
Background to the ICJ Case and South Africa’s Initiative
The case stems from South Africa’s application to the International Court of Justice on 29 December 2023, alleging that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza breaches the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. South Africa argued that Israel’s actions, including widespread bombings, displacement of populations, and restrictions on essential supplies, demonstrate an intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinian people as a national, ethnic, and religious group. The convention defines genocide as acts committed with such intent, including killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, imposing conditions leading to physical destruction, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children.
Israel has firmly denied these accusations, maintaining that its operations are a legitimate response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas militants, which killed about 1,200 people and saw over 250 taken hostage. Israeli officials describe the campaign as targeted at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, not the Palestinian population, and accuse critics of overlooking the role of armed groups in prolonging the conflict. Despite this, the scale of destruction— with over 80% of Gaza’s buildings damaged or destroyed and more than 1.9 million people displaced—has drawn sharp condemnation worldwide.
The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, has issued several provisional measures to address the crisis. On 26 January 2024, the court ordered Israel to take all steps to prevent genocidal acts, ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, and preserve evidence related to the allegations. This was followed by a March 2024 ruling modifying the order to emphasise unimpeded aid delivery amid fears of famine. In May 2024, the court went further, directing Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah and open border crossings for relief supplies. On 19 July 2024, in a separate advisory opinion requested by the United Nations General Assembly, the court declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful, calling for an immediate end to settlements and reparations for damages. Israel has rejected these rulings as biased and continued its operations, citing ongoing threats from Hamas.
Brazil’s Announcement and Reasons for Intervention
In its statement, Brazil’s foreign ministry expressed deep concern over the “indiscriminate violence” against civilians and the “blatant use of hunger as a weapon of war.” The ministry highlighted recurring episodes of violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including the annexation of territories by force and serious violations of international humanitarian law. “The international community cannot remain inert in the face of ongoing atrocities,” the statement read, adding that impunity undermines the credibility of the multilateral system. Brazil believes the rights of Palestinians to protection against genocide are being irreversibly harmed, prompting its formal intervention.
President Lula da Silva has been outspoken on the issue, comparing Israel’s actions to historical atrocities and calling for an immediate ceasefire. During a recent BRICS meeting, he reiterated his stance, stating that the violence in Gaza constitutes genocide and urging global leaders to prioritise human lives over political alliances. This aligns with Brazil’s broader foreign policy under Lula, which emphasises solidarity with the Global South and advocacy for multilateral solutions to conflicts.
Israel responded swiftly, with its embassy in Brasilia criticising the announcement as using “harsh words that do not fully portray the reality” and accusing Brazil of ignoring Hamas’s role. The Confederation of Israelites in Brazil also condemned the move as extremist, arguing it strains long-standing ties between the two nations.
Other Countries Joining the Case
Brazil joins a growing list of nations intervening in the case, reflecting widespread international concern. Colombia, Libya, and Mexico were among the first to formally join, with Mexico filing its declaration on 24 May 2024, citing deliberate obstruction of aid and destruction of cultural heritage. The State of Palestine intervened on 3 June 2024, followed by Spain on 6 June 2024, which argued that Israel’s actions violate the Genocide Convention. Ireland submitted its request on 6 January 2025, emphasising the humanitarian catastrophe.
Other interveners include Nicaragua (which later withdrew on 3 April 2025), Egypt (12 May 2024), Maldives (13 May 2024), Chile (1 June 2024, formal request 12 September 2024), Cuba (22 June 2024), Turkey (1 May 2024, request 7 August 2024), Bolivia (8 October 2024), and Belize (31 January 2025). Support has also come from organisations like the African Union and the Arab League, though they have not formally intervened. Over 50 countries, including Algeria, Bolivia, Chile, Jordan, and Malaysia, have expressed backing for South Africa’s position.
Broader Context of the Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The war began with Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023, but Israel’s response has led to one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 39,145 Palestinians killed and 90,257 wounded as of July 2025, with the actual figures possibly higher due to unrecovered bodies under rubble. The United Nations has warned of a man-made famine, with over 100 aid and human rights groups highlighting “mass starvation” spreading across the territory. Reports indicate at least 15 starvation deaths in a single day recently, and Israeli restrictions have turned aid distribution sites into “death traps.”
Israel maintains it allows sufficient aid and blames Hamas for diverting supplies, but international experts dispute this, pointing to systematic blockades. A full blockade in March 2025 halted aid for months, only partially resuming through a group tied to Israel and the United States. The World Health Organisation’s director-general has described the situation as “man-made mass starvation,” urging immediate action.
Public reactions on social media platforms reflect divided opinions. Posts from accounts like The Cradle and Times LIVE celebrated Brazil’s move as a step towards justice, while others criticised it as biased. One user noted, “The world is watching,” emphasising global solidarity.
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