Brazil set to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ over Gaza war
The case, originally filed in 2023, alleges that Israel violated the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
Brazil is in the final stages of applying to join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The case, originally filed in 2023, alleges that Israel violated the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
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In a statement released on Wednesday, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the move, expressing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Reuters, the Ministry also cited the high number of civilian deaths and the widespread destruction of vital infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and shelters.
By seeking to support South Africa’s case, Brazil joins a growing list of countries—including Turkey, Colombia, and Spain—that have rallied behind the legal action, increasing international pressure on Israel amid rising global criticism.
Mixed reactions
The decision has sparked mixed reactions within Brazil.
Human rights groups have welcomed the move, while Jewish organisations have warned that it could strain Brazil’s historically strong relationship with Israel.
Israel has consistently rejected allegations of genocide, maintaining that its military actions are acts of self-defence against Hamas and are focused on targeting militants, not civilians.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 59,219 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military operations in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The war has led to mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands forced from their homes, and Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid have worsened the crisis on the ground.
In response to Brazil’s announcement, the Israeli embassy in Brasília condemned what it described as a biased stance, accusing the Brazilian government of ignoring Hamas’s role in the conflict.
The National Israeli Confederation of Brazil (CONIB) also criticised the move, stating:
“The breaking of Brazil’s long-standing friendship and partnership with Israel is a misguided move that proves the extremism of our foreign policy.”
Israeli legal experts have similarly dismissed the ICJ case, calling it an abuse of the Genocide Convention.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emerged as one of Israel’s most outspoken critics, drawing both international support and backlash for his stance on the Gaza war.
The ICJ will now consider Brazil’s application alongside other submissions. While the case proceeds, a final ruling could take months or even years to be delivered.
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