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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - SAO PAULO: Brazil has expressed its support for the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have caused more than 23,000 deaths since Oct. 7.

The Brazilian decision was taken hours after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met in Brasilia with Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben.

Although Lula emphasized that his administration immediately condemned the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, he affirmed that “such acts do not justify Israel’s indiscriminate, recurrent and disproportionate use of force against civilians.”

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that considering “the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law,” Lula expressed support for South Africa’s case with the goal of ordering “Israel to immediately cease all acts and measures that may constitute genocide or related crimes under the terms of the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

The statement emphasized that Lula has been making efforts in the international community for a ceasefire, the liberation of Hamas-held hostages, and the creation of humanitarian corridors to protect Palestinian civilians.

“The Brazilian government reiterates its defense of the two-state solution, with an economically viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, having East Jerusalem as its capital,” the statement added.

The decision to support South Africa’s case was received with joy by Palestinian associations in Brazil.

“We had high expectations due to the historical commitments of the Brazilian state with human rights and the sovereignty of nations,” Ualid Rabah, president of the Arab Palestine Federation of Brazil, told Arab News.

He emphasized that during Brazil’s tenure as head of the UN Security Council, the country “continually tried to stop the genocide in Gaza,” something that might now be achieved with the ICJ trial.

“Lula has a history of respect for UN resolutions and international law, so he defends a viable and safe Palestinian state. Opposing the genocide is a fundamental part of his diplomatic stance,” Rabah said.

Emir Mourad, secretary-general of the Palestinian Confederation of Latin America and the Caribbean, said Lula’s decision could bring other nations in the region to declare their support for South Africa’s case.

“Brazil has a leadership role in the region, and its stance can influence neighboring countries. I believe a domino effect could follow the announcement,” Mourad told Arab News.

In 2010, during his first tenure as president, Lula officially recognized Palestine’s statehood. Several Latin American nations followed suit, Mourad recalled.

In October, Lula said: “Now what we have is the insanity of the prime minister of Israel wanting to extinguish the Gaza Strip, forgetting that there are not just Hamas soldiers there, there are women and children there, who are the great victims of this war.”

In November, Lula granted the highest Brazilian diplomatic commendation to Alzeben, in a sign of his support for the Palestinian cause.

Mourad said: “Lula led a pioneering mission to bring Palestinian Brazilians from Gaza to Brazil and headed the UNSC at a critical moment, trying to achieve peace. He has been a great example.”

Rabah said: “The simple fact that Israel will be taken to court, charged with the most atrocious crime that exists — genocide — is a great victory.

“We’re hopeful about that trial. We think it will unmask Israel and its crimes, and change history in favor of Palestine.”