Lula Calls Gaza Situation a 'Genocide,' Brazil Condemns Israeli Actions

Brazil Condemns Israeli Actions in Gaza: Lula Calls Situation 'Genocide' Brasília, June 1, 2025 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today issued a strong condemnation of Israel's ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip and the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. Speaking at the closing of the PSB national convention, Lula declared, "This war is a genocide." He emphasized that the conflict is not supported by the majority of the Israeli population. This statement follows a similar condemnation from Brazil's Ministry of External Relations (Itamaraty), which released an official note stating that the Israeli government's actions constitute a "flagrant illegality" under international law. The Itamaraty statement specifically criticized the approval of 22 new Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The note reads in part: "Brazil repudiates the recurrent unilateral measures taken by the Israeli government, which, by imposing a situation equivalent to the annexation of occupied Palestinian territory, compromises the implementation of the two-state solution." Lula's remarks were met with cheers of "Free Palestine" from the audience. His comments highlight the growing international concern over the escalating violence in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Brazilian government's clear and forceful condemnation underscores its commitment to a peaceful resolution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.