Brazil considers measures to sever military ties with Israel
The Brazilian government is considering measures to sever military ties with Israel in response to Tel Aviv’s actions in the Gaza Strip, which it has classified as genocide against the Palestinian people. The information was confirmed by the Special Advisory Office of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Celso Amorim, President Lula’s chief special advisor, told Agência Brasil that measures consistent with humanitarian principles must be taken.
“Personally, I believe that the escalation of massacres in Gaza—which constitute true genocide, with thousands of civilians killed, including children—is something that cannot be minimized. Brazil needs, through appropriate measures, to act consistently with the humanitarian principles and international law it has always defended,” said Amorim.
This week, Amorim received a group of 20 federal representatives and other leaders who called on the Brazilian government to break diplomatic and trade relations with the State of Israel.
Earlier this year, Brazil canceled the purchase of Israeli armored vehicles planned by the Ministry of Defense due to the situation in Gaza.
The Brazilian government believes that severing diplomatic relations would be a delicate and complex matter, as it could harm both Brazilians living in Israel and Palestinians by ending the possibility of with Tel Aviv.
Brazil therefore sees the suspension of military contracts and cooperation as an appropriate response to the escalation of violence, the siege of Gaza Strip and the Palestinians, and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
