During PSB National Convention, President read a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that condemns Israeli Operation ‘in the strongest terms’; Conib classified a statement as irresponsible
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) (PT) again criticized, on Sunday (1), the Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and the recent decision of the Israeli government to authorize the construction of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. During a speech at the PSB National Congress in Brasilia, the president classified the offensive as “genocide” and accused the government of Tel Aviv of disrespecting international resolutions.
“The war we are seeing is not between two armies. It is a highly professional army killing defenseless women and children,” said Publ Lula, who also read an official note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The text condemns “in the strongest terms” the Israeli decision, classified as “blatant illegality” in the light of international law. In addition, it reiterates Brazil’s support for the solution of two states, with borders based in 1967 and East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital.
The first lady Janja da Silva and part of the public followed the speech with shouts of “Palestine free”. Lula also mentioned the worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing the recent bombing that killed nine of the ten sons of the Palestinian doctor Alaa al-Najjar. “It was a shameful and cowardly act. This is no longer a defense, it is cruelty and inhumanity,” he said.
In commenting on the conflict more broadly, Lula pointed out that “not even the Jewish people want this war” and accused the Israeli government of acting for revenge against the possibility of creating a Palestinian state. The speech generated reaction from the Israeli Confederation of Brazil (Conib), which classified the statement as “irresponsible” and accused the president of misrepresenting the facts. In a statement, the entity stated that Israel acts in self -defense against the terrorist group Hamas, who “hides behind Palestinian civilians.”
In addition to the issue in the Middle East, Lula mentioned the war in Ukraine and said he called Russia President Vladimir Putin, suggesting Moscow’s participation in peace negotiations in Turkey. “The world is in need of peace and harmony,” he said.
Lula’s criticism of Israel has generated diplomatic tension since February 2024, when the president compared the attacks on Gaza to the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime. Since then, the two countries have been without nominated ambassadors and the bilateral relationship remains shaken.
*Report produced with the aid of AI
