A growing chorus of international condemnation has emerged following Israel’s recent decisions to expand control over the occupied West Bank, a move described by multiple foreign ministers as a violation of international law and a potential step towards de facto annexation. The joint statement, issued late on , was signed by the foreign ministers of Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, as well as the heads of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The criticism centers on Israeli cabinet decisions made on , which aim to tighten Israel’s administrative grip on the West Bank and facilitate land acquisition by settlers. Palestinian officials have characterized these measures as a clear attempt at annexation. The statement alleges that the changes involve the reclassification of Palestinian land as Israeli “state land,” accelerating settlement activity, and further solidifying Israeli administration in the region.
The West Bank, captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, remains a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is one of the territories Palestinians claim for a future independent state. Currently, much of the West Bank is under Israeli military control, with limited self-governance granted to the Palestinian Authority in certain areas. The international community largely views Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law, a position consistently reiterated in the joint statement.
The foreign ministers’ statement asserts that the settlements and the decisions designed to expand them represent “a flagrant violation of international law” and a move that undermines efforts towards peace and stability in the region. It further warns that these actions threaten any prospect of meaningful regional integration. The condemnation reflects a growing international concern over the escalating tensions and the potential for further destabilization in the region.
This latest diplomatic fallout comes amidst a broader, evolving dynamic in Israel’s international relations. Brazil, in particular, has taken an increasingly assertive stance on the issue. A report from , highlighted a “rolling diplomatic crisis” between Brazil and Israel, suggesting a structural shift in regional and international relations beyond a simple political dispute. This shift appears to be influencing Brazil’s willingness to lead international condemnation of Israeli policies.
The situation is further complicated by the recent remarks made by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on , at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa. President Lula da Silva drew significant controversy by comparing Israel’s military operations in Gaza to the Holocaust, a statement that prompted strong reactions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. While the current joint statement does not directly reference these remarks, it underscores Brazil’s increasingly critical position on Israeli policies.
The relationship between Brazil and Israel, while historically marked by close political and military ties – including arms cooperation – has demonstrably cooled. Brazil maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa, while Israel has an embassy in Brasília and a consulate-general in São Paulo. However, the recent diplomatic friction suggests a potential re-evaluation of these ties. Brazil is a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and a number of Brazilian elected officials participate in the Israel Allies Caucus, indicating a complex and multifaceted relationship.
The condemnation from France echoes similar concerns expressed earlier. In , France expressed regret over the failure of a draft resolution put forward by Brazil to the UN Security Council, which aimed to address the situation in Gaza and uphold international humanitarian law. This demonstrates a consistent French position supporting diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict and ensure adherence to international norms.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar in the joint statement is particularly significant, given their key roles in regional diplomacy and their relationships with both Israel and the Palestinians. Their unified condemnation signals a broad consensus within the Arab world regarding the unacceptability of Israel’s actions in the West Bank. The inclusion of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation further amplifies the message and underscores the collective concern.
The current situation raises questions about the future of the peace process and the viability of a two-state solution. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements and the tightening of control over the West Bank are widely seen as obstacles to achieving a lasting peace agreement. The international community’s response, as evidenced by this joint statement, will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of the conflict and preventing further escalation.
With approximately 107,329 Jews residing in Brazil as of – and estimates from the Brazilian Jewish Confederation (CONIB) suggesting a figure exceeding 120,000 – Brazil hosts the ninth-largest Jewish community globally and the second-largest in Latin America. Around 25,000 Brazilians currently live in Israel, many of whom are Brazilian Jews. This demographic context adds another layer of complexity to Brazil’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
