Brazil is finalizing its formal intervention in South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to a Wednesday announcement by the country’s foreign ministry. The case, initiated by South Africa in 2023, accuses Israel of violating obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention during its military campaign in Gaza. South Africa’s filing argues that Israeli operations have disproportionately harmed civilians through strikes on hospitals, shelters, and schools, allegations Israel has repeatedly denied.
The Brazilian government’s statement condemned Israel for actions it claims breach international law, including territorial annexation, and expressed “deep indignation” over civilian casualties. Israel’s embassy in Brasília pushed back, calling Brazil’s language “harsh” and accusing it of ignoring Hamas’ role in the conflict. Tensions were further amplified by the Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB), which criticized the move as a rupture in bilateral ties and a sign of “extremism” in Brazil’s foreign policy.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a longstanding critic of Israel’s Gaza campaign, has intensified diplomatic friction by aligning with South Africa’s legal challenge. The decision arrives amid strained relations between Brazil and the United States, a key ally of Israel. Earlier this month, the U.S. imposed steep 50% tariffs on all Brazilian imports, a policy linked to the Trump administration. Despite this, a diplomat close to the Lula administration told Reuters that Brazil does not expect its ICJ intervention to worsen ties with Washington, describing the legal and trade issues as “separate matters.”
The U.S. has consistently opposed South Africa’s case under both the Biden and Trump administrations. In February, Trump curtailed financial aid to South Africa, citing its ICJ petition among other factors. Spain, Turkey, and Colombia have also signaled interest in joining the lawsuit, reflecting growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military tactics.
Israel maintains that its operations target Hamas militants, not civilians, and its legal team has dismissed South Africa’s case as a distortion of the Genocide Convention. Regional analysts note that Brazil’s involvement adds weight to a case that could set precedents for accountability in conflicts involving non-state actors and civilian infrastructure. With the ICJ yet to issue a ruling, the proceedings underscore deepening global divisions over the Gaza war and its humanitarian toll.
