Statement by President Lula during dinner with representatives of Arab and Muslim countries

I want to thank Ambassador Ibrahim Mohamed Alzeben, Dean of the diplomatic corps, for the invitation to this dinner.

I would also like greet each of the ambassadors and representatives of Arab and Muslim countries in Brasília.

My first words are of gratitude for the Yasser Arafat Foundation's decision to grant me honorary member status. Arafat was a courageous and determined leader who dedicated his life to the Palestinian cause.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Yitzhak Rabin, he left a legacy of dedication, moderation and persistence that are now characteristics of the Palestinian National Authority, in the figure of my friend Mahmoud Abbas.

More than a personal distinction, I see this gesture by the Foundation as a tribute to the Brazilian men and women who have worked for decades towards stability in the Middle East.

Among them are employees from the foreign service and the armed forces who worked in the “Returning in Peace” operation, which allowed us to remove almost two thousand Brazilian citizens and their families from the conflict zone, and to take food, medical supplies and water purifiers to Gaza.

On this night when we evoke and celebrate our rich ethnic-cultural heritage, I want to convey a message of solidarity to those who are victims of discrimination and prejudice.

We reject all manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.

We cannot allow religious intolerance to take hold among us.

Arabs, Muslims and Jews have always lived in perfect harmony in Brazil, helping to build today's modern country.

This harmonious coexistence is a source of inspiration in our diplomatic activities.

It guided our actions in the United Nations Security Council—to which we belonged until December last year.

It expresses the universalism of our foreign policy and leads us to strive for partnerships with countries in the Global South.

This is the spirit with which I will visit Egypt, the Arab League and Ethiopia, two new members of the BRICS, in a few days, and will participate in the 37th Summit of the African Union.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Yesterday marked the four months of attacks that were carried out by Hamas.

We strongly condemn these terrorist acts.

We condemn Israel's disproportionate reaction with equal vehemence.

I personally worked with several Heads of State and Government towards a ceasefire; the release of hostages; and the creation of humanitarian corridors to protect civilians.

The time has come to put an end to the humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen the more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza.

There are already almost 30 thousand dead, most of them children, elderly people, and defenseless women.

More than 80% of the population has been forced to move—and the health, water, energy and food systems are collapsing.

Enough of this collective punishment.

For these reasons, among others, Brazil has expressed its support to the process that was initiated by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. 

The Court’s precautionary measures must be respected. 

Brazil is also a member of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East—UNRWA. 

The recent allegations against UNRWA officials need to be properly investigated, but they cannot paralyze it.

Brazil urges the international community to maintain and reinforce its contributions to the proper operation of its activities.

My government will provide additional resources to the Agency.

We will also continue to work towards Palestine’s admission to the UN as a full member.

Ladies and gentlemen,

For 75 years, the world has been waiting for a solution to the just aspiration of its own State.

Rest assured that Brazil will do everything in our power to ensure that the current escalation of violence is quickly halted.

It is urgent to resume dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, with support from the international community, including developing countries. 

It is in this spirit that I invite everyone to raise a toast to a sovereign, economically viable Palestinian state that coexists in peace and security alongside Israel. 

May peace be with everyone.