“We are officially joining the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice” – Brazilian Government
[Bogotá, Colombia | July 24, 2025] — Brazil has officially announced its participation in the ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was initiated by South Africa. The Brazilian government stated it is in the "final stage" of this process.
In an official statement, Brazil expressed "deep outrage over the ongoing and systematic violence against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank."
The statement accuses Israel of serious human rights violations, including attacks on religious and civilian sites—such as Gaza’s Catholic Church and the World Health Organization (WHO) building, both reportedly targeted by Israeli forces.
The violence and chaos perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank were also highlighted, citing the destruction of St. George's Church and the arson attack on the Byzantine cemetery in Taybeh as examples.
The Brazilian government further stated, “While humanitarian aid is being distributed in Gaza, genocidal attacks are taking place in the same locations. Many of the victims are women and children. Starvation is also being used as a weapon of war, which is a clear violation of international law.”
The statement emphasized, “This decision reflects Brazil’s commitment to international law and human rights. We believe that Israel’s actions should be brought before the international court as part of our duty as a sovereign state.”
The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. South Africa filed the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocide directly against the Palestinian people. Several countries, including Turkey, Malaysia, Colombia, and Bangladesh, have either applied or expressed interest in intervening in the case.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has taken a strong stance on the Gaza crisis on the international stage. He has repeatedly described Israel’s military operations as “genocide” and “acts of vengeance,” and at one point likened Israeli actions to “the Nazi Holocaust.” In response, Israel declared him a “persona non grata.”
Meanwhile, the blockade and military operations in Gaza are increasingly raising fears of famine. Over 100 international humanitarian organizations have already issued warnings about the dire situation.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 59,200 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive that began in October 2023, the majority of whom are women and children.
