Lula: “The resumption of peace negotiations is a universal cause”

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke this Tuesday (February 15) afternoon during an extraordinary session of the League of Arab States, in Cairo (Egypt)—and once again defended a peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. To Lula, the only way to ensure the future for the population of Palestine is having their territory and autonomy recognized by the international community.

Brazil's position is clear. There will be no peace until there is a Palestinian state within mutually agreed upon and internationally recognized borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as capital. The decision about the existence of an independent Palestinian state was taken 75 years ago by the United Nations"

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

» Full text of President's Lula speech

“Brazil's position is clear. There will be no peace until there is a Palestinian state within mutually agreed upon and internationally recognized borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as capital. The decision about the existence of an independent Palestinian state was taken 75 years ago by the United Nations. There are no excuses for preventing Palestine from joining the UN as a full member. The resumption of peace negotiations is a universal cause—and it is our cause”, stated the President.

Lula criticized the inefficiency of the global governance system, presently unable to prevent the outbreak of conflicts that are often caused by countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council. These members, as well as acting against UN decisions, also have veto power to block more effective sanctions.

“We need to rethink all this so that we can increase the number of countries in the Security Council. It is necessary to end the right of veto. The permanent members of the UN Security Council are the countries that produce weapons, that sell weapons and that have recently been waging wars. It was like that in Iraq, it was like that in Libya. Russia did not ask anyone for permission to invade Ukraine,” highlighted Lula.

Egyptian League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Ghei stated that UN member countries were very pleased with Brazil's return to “normal” relations with the Arab countries, after what he described as a period of “turbulence."

AID - To President Lula, the decision by several countries who are aligned with Israel to cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)—which provides aid to Palestine refugees in the Middle East—may have serious humanitarian consequences. The President announced that Brazil will continue to support the institution.

“At a time when the Palestinian people most need support, rich countries have decided to cut humanitarian aid to the UNRWA. Recent allegations against agency employees must be investigated, but cannot paralyze the agency. Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon will also be left destitute. We must put an end to this inhumanity and cowardice. My government will make a new contribution of resources to UNRWA. We urge all countries to maintain and reinforce their contributions,” he declared.

ATTACKS - In his speech, President Lula once again reiterated Brazil's position on the conflict, strongly condemning not only the Hamas attack against Israel, but also highlighting that the Israeli response has been disproportionate and caused irreparable losses—with mostly civilian victims such as women, children and the elderly.

“Hamas’ attack on October 7 against Israeli civilians is indefensible, and was vehemently condemned by Brazil. Israel's disproportionate and indiscriminate reaction is unacceptable and one of the most tragic episodes in this long conflict. Human and material losses are irreparable. We cannot trivialize the deaths of thousands of civilians as mere collateral damage,” he said.

THE LEAGUE - The League of Arab States was founded in 1945, in Egypt, to strengthen economic, social, political and cultural ties between members. It was created by six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Currently, it includes 22 states and a population of over 450 million people: Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Syria (suspended), Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

TRIP - President Lula was in Egypt for a state visit and was received on Thursday morning by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. After visiting Arab League headquarters, Lula flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate as a guest at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, on Friday and Saturday (February 16 and 17).