A group of around 20 Brazilian parliamentaries had a meeting, on this Wednesday (11) afternoon, with the special advisor of the President, Celso Amorim, to discuss the genocide situation ongoing in Palestine. The reunion happened after a request from the deputy João Daniel (from the Workers’ Party of Sergipe).
“Brazil needs to report war crimes and the genocide committed by the Israeli government, in all necessary instances, including severing diplomatic relations, such as many other countries have done and increasingly keep doing”, stated Daniel to BdF.
According to reports of the meeting’s attendants, the ambassador Celso Amorim highlighted that the return of the Brazilian ambassador of Tel Aviv, Frederico Meyer, in May 2024, is seen as a “dramatic” gesture in international relations. Brazil hasn’t approved a concession of ‘agreement’ to the ambassador indicated by Israel to represent the country in Brazilian territory.
Amorim criticized the government of Israel during the meeting and said the Brazilian government studies new measures against the zionist State, especially in relation to existing military cooperation agreements. “The Israeli government has behaved totally contrary to, not only what is moral and ethical, what obviously happens, but to the international practice”, said the presidential advisor to the parliamentaries.
In the meantime, Amorim said that ending relations with Israel is a “complex” topic, because it would have impacts including over Brazilian citizens that live in the region.
At the occasion, the parliamentaries handed the diplomat a document, in which they highlight that Israel has “systematically violated international law, UN resolutions and basic principles of human dignity”.
In the paper, the signatories state that “symbolic gestures or diplomatic reports” are not sufficient anymore to effectively pressure the Israeli State. “In the sight of the tens of thousands of dead civilians, of hospitals and schools attacked by bombs, and of a total blockade that imposes hunger and thirst to the Gaza population, maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel is a way of complicity”, says the text.
Yet according to the text, severing diplomatic relations with Israel would be “a clear indication to the world that Brazil does not accept the massacre of civilians as a State policy”.
The parliamentaries as well ask for the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Police and the Federal Public Ministry to investigate the participation of Brazilian citizens in the massacre of the Palestinian people, as determined by the Rome Statute, which the country is a signatory.
“Today there are public and documented evidences of individuals with Brazilian citizenship that voluntarily traveled to gather forces with the Israeli nazi-zionist in the Gaza Strip, participating in actions that resulted in the massacre of thousands of civilians, including women and children”, said the parliamentaries. “The double standard in the enforcement of the law challenges the credibility of institutions and weakens Brazil’s moral authority on the international stage. Omission, in this case, can be interpreted as complicity with impunity and disregard for the victims.”
Finally, the document delivered to the former minister outlines “three unfulfilled promises” by Brazilian diplomacy regarding the conflict. “President Lula publicly declared that Brazil would support South Africa’s action against Israel at the International Court of Justice for genocide. This statement created hope and a positive response among human rights defenders. However, to this day, that promise has not been effectively fulfilled, neither through a formal expression of support nor by joining the case as an interested part,” the text says.
The statement also highlights the position of Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who, according to the parliamentarians, “has repeatedly defended the ‘two-state solution with negotiable borders,’ which contradicts Brazil’s historical position in support of borders based on the 1967 agreements, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian State.”
“Speaking of ‘negotiable borders’ ignores the rights already recognized for the Palestinian people and legitimizes Israeli colonial expansion. It is essential that Brazil aligns its discourse with its historical policy of full recognition of Palestine,” they affirm, also raising concern over the ongoing discrimination against Palestinians and Arabs in Brazilian embassies and immigration procedures.
Federal Deputy Natália Bonavides (from the Workers’ Party of Rio Grande do Norte) evaluated the conversation with Amorim positively. “Given this grave scenario of genocide perpetrated by Israel, which has already caused more than 50,000 Palestinian deaths, with women and children as the main victims, we met with ambassador Celso Amorim ask our country to advance with effective sanctions measures, such as the severing of commercial relations between Brazil and Israel. It was a very important moment, and for the first time the government publicly and officially stated that it is studying such measures,” she told BdF.
Thiago Ávila remains detained by Israel
The situation of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila was also discussed. He was arrested by Israeli forces while attempting to reach Gaza along with other activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). Ávila remains detained after refusing to sign a deportation order and requesting the crew of the boat Madleen to return to the vessel and continue their journey.
The activist, who is on a hunger strike, is expected to be forcibly deported. His arrival is scheduled for this Thursday (12th). On this matter, the former minister stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the case to ensure the activist’s well-being and safety return to Brazil.
Deputy Sâmia Bomfim (Psol-SP), who was at the meeting, posted a video on Instagram commenting on the conversation with Amorim. “We also reiterated in the meeting our solidarity and deep concern for Thiago Ávila, who is on a hunger strike. The information that he has been placed in solitary confinement is extremely serious and demands urgent action from our authorities. We are doing everything within our power!” she wrote.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) issued a statement, also on Wednesday, affirming that it is in contact with Ávila’s family, explaining details of the activist’s detention, and condemning the interception of the Freedom Flotilla, as well as the “gravely concerning humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
“By reiterating its strong condemnation of the interception, in international waters, by Israeli forces of the vessel ‘Madleen,’ in flagrant violation of international law, Brazil asks for the release of its national and urges Israel to ensure his well-being and health. In the context of the extremely severe humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where widespread hunger and malnutrition prevail, Brazil deplores the continued imposition of severe restrictions, violating international humanitarian law, on the access of basic survival items into the State of Palestine,” the statement reads.
