Overview

• The International Court of Justice published Brazil’s 33-page declaration of intervention submitted on September 17 under Article 63 of the Court’s Statute.
• Brazil says it will be bound by the Court’s interpretation of the 1948 Genocide Convention and presents readings of Articles I–III at issue in the case.
• The filing avoids directly accusing Israel of genocide and urges a categorical ruling on genocidal intent, arguing intent can be established from patterns of conduct even if not the direct motivation.
• Brazil outlines indicators it says warrant scrutiny, including starvation policies, obstruction of aid, forced displacement, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and cultural identity.
• The case, initiated by South Africa in December 2023, has already produced provisional measures, while multiple countries including Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Ireland, Cuba, Belize, Libya, Maldives, Bolivia, and Palestine have sought to intervene; a recent UN inquiry alleged genocide, which Israel rejected.