Brazil to Support South Africa's Genocide Case at ICJ

Brazil has announced its decision to formally intervene in South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The Brazilian foreign ministry confirmed that the country is in the final stages of preparing its official submission to the UN’s top court, joining other nations such as Colombia, Libya, and Mexico in supporting the case.

South Africa brought the case to the ICJ in December 2023, alleging that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza violated the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. Israel has strongly rejected the accusation.

In rulings issued in January, March, and May 2024, the court ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid to avert famine in the territory.

Brazil's foreign ministry condemned what it described as “indiscriminate violence” against civilians and the “blatant use of hunger as a weapon of war.” It added, “The international community cannot remain inert in the face of ongoing atrocities.”

The conflict began after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza.

Israel has come under mounting global pressure to end the war, as more than 100 humanitarian organisations warn of “mass starvation” in Gaza.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been vocal in his criticism of Israel’s actions, repeatedly referring to them as genocide.

The UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.