Brazilian president condemns Israeli ‘genocide’ against Palestinians

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted the severity of the situation in occupied Palestine territories and Lebanon on Wednesday, and urged countries with influence on Israel to get it to end the "genocide" against Palestinians.

The Brazilian president noted that the death toll in Lebanon after Israeli attacks is the "largest number of a death toll since the civil war" that took place in that country from 1975 - 1990, as responded to a question by Anadolu on the situation in Lebanon and the possibility of an arms embargo on Israel as a result of its actions in the region.

Noting that women and children are among civilian casualties in Lebanon, da Silva stated that approximately 10,000 people have also been displaced

Noting the judicial process underway at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, da Silva noted that the premier failed to comply with UN decisions despite the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution for a cease-fire.

He emphasized Brazil's commitment to strengthen the UN "as a tool that has the strength to make the decisions and make things happen," and added: "I sincerely believe that countries who convey support to Prime Minister Netanyahu should make more endeavor to stop this genocide."

Da Silva condemned the Israeli government's actions against Palestinians.

"I'm absolutely sure that the majority of the people of Israel do not agree with this genocide," he said.

The Brazilian president remarked that while some countries are striving to make the world a better place, others are killing people. "There is no explanation for this," he said.

Urging the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, to contribute to returning "things to normality" by releasing the hostages it took in a cross-border attack last October, he encouraged Israel to also release Palestinian prisoners.

He added that it is impossible for humanity to continue living as if what is happening in places like Gaza, Sudan and the occupied West Bank is normal.

He stressed the need for the UN to "play an important role," and reminded reporters that it "does not have any strength to create the Palestine state" as it had the strength to create the state of Israel.

He also emphasized the importance of creating the state of Palestine for both sides to "live in harmony."